UN Condemns Deadly Overnight Strikes Across Ukraine

Firefighters tackle a blaze at a building hosting a kindergarten in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (file)

At least 25 people were killed and dozens more injured in a new wave of overnight strikes across several regions of Ukraine, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attacks, which also damaged homes and critical civilian infrastructure, including health and educational facilities.

"Today's appalling attack — one of the deadliest against civilians since Russia's full-scale invasion nearly four years ago — once again underlines the urgency of a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire in this country, as a first step towards a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace,” his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, told journalists in New York.

Humanitarian impact

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, issued a statement expressing his condemnation.

“From Kharkiv in the east to Ternopil and the Ivano-Frankivsk region in the west, families have lost loved ones, suffered injuries, and seen their homes destroyed,” he said. At least a dozen children were among the wounded, and “their suffering is unconscionable,” he added.

Political affairs chief ‘appalled’

UN human rights investigators are visiting the affected sites to document the damage, according to a post on X.

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, who is currently in Ukraine, said she was “appalled” by the overnight assault.

“Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. They are unacceptable and must end immediately,” she tweeted.

Damage and disruption

The barrage of drones and missiles also damaged energy infrastructure, causing emergency power outages and worsening the effects of previous attacks.

Mr Schmale warned that the disruptions are putting millions “at grave risk” as temperatures drop below zero in some areas of the country.

“This relentless harm to civilians and destruction of essential infrastructure is unacceptable,” he said, stressing that “international humanitarian law clearly prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian objects vital for their survival.”

He emphasised that all measures must be taken to protect civilians and that “they should never be a target.”