NEW YORK: As spiraling drone and missile attacks on civilians in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war continue, Pakistan reiterated its call in the UN Security Council for an “immediate and complete” cessation of hostilities, reverting to diplomacy and resumption of dialogue to bring peace and stability to the region.
“We deplore the escalation– the scale and intensity of attacks carried out by the parties on multiple fronts, upending lives and livelihoods in the affected regions,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, said in a debate on the worsening situation in Ukraine.
“Reports of attacks targeting critical infrastructure related to energy and food supply are also deeply concerning. Such attacks further exacerbate the already fragile global food and energy security, affecting people far beyond the conflict zone,” he told the 15-member Council.
The conflict began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, arguing it was a “special military operation” for Ukraine’s “demilitarization”, protecting Russian-speaking people from “genocide,” and preventing NATO expansion.
Monday’s meeting was requested by the Security Council’s five European members — Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia and the United Kingdom.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen of Denmark, which holds the Council’s presidency for the month of August, presided.
In his remarks, Ambassador Asim Ahmad pointed out that the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel and civilian infrastructure was a fundamental obligation under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and must be respected by all parties.
“Violation of IHL risk further escalation, worsen human suffering, and, diminishes the prospects for lasting peace.”
He reminded Council’s members of Pakistan repeated calls for holding earnest and meaningful dialogue to bring durable peace and stability to the region.
“This entails eschewing the quest for a military solution,” the Pakistani delegate pointed out, saying the only viable path to lasting peace remains a mutually acceptable peaceful settlement, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, corresponding to the legitimate security interests of all sides, and the relevant multilateral agreements.
Earlier, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said that the civilian toll continues to rise as the war goes on. July saw more civilians killed in Ukraine than in any month since May 2022, while child casualties reached their highest monthly level since April 2022.
Russian forces, she said, have intensified large-scale strikes against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, including recent attacks on Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih and Mykolaiv. Since February 2022, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has verified 16,874 civilian deaths, including 820 children, and more than 51,000 injuries.
Ms. DiCarlo also voiced concern over Ukrainian attacks causing civilian casualties in Russia and warned that attacks on ports and shipping infrastructure in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov threaten maritime trade and global food security.
Calling the continuing cycle of death and escalation “intolerable”, she urged every diplomatic effort towards a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, leading to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace consistent with international law and the United Nations Charter.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher told the Council following a visit to the country that civilian casualties during the first half of 2026 rose 37 per cent compared with the same period last y
In Kherson, Fletcher said he witnessed how drone warfare is “dismantling civilian life”, with a 60 per cent increase in first-person-view drone attacks in 2026. At a hospital near the front line, 70 per cent of civilian patients were being treated for blast injuries, predominantly caused by such drones.
Humanitarian workers are also increasingly at risk, he said. Ten aid workers were killed and almost 40 injured between January and July, while at least 20 warehouses have been destroyed. Despite the dangers, humanitarians reached more than 3 million people during the first half of 2026.
Fletcher urged the Council to defend international humanitarian law, protect humanitarian operations and prepare for a difficult winter. Warning that “technology is outpacing accountability”, Fletcher stressed that civilians need protection, relief and, above all, an end to the war. –Agencies
