UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Ukraine. Delivered at the 63rd Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Mr Vice-President,
The reporting before us is stark: Russian armed forces “systematically and repeatedly targeted energy facilities across Ukraine throughout the 2025–2026 winter,” leaving millions facing electricity outages and hundreds of thousands without heat during Ukraine’s coldest winter since 2010. These attacks undermine access to essential services, disrupting health care and water supply, while increasing humanitarian needs for millions.
July was the deadliest month for civilians in over four years, with 437 killed, including a record number of children. Russia’s attacks place civilians and humanitarian workers at unacceptable risk. The UN’s humanitarian chief described a “dystopian landscape” where technology able to protect civilians is instead used to hunt them with ever greater precision.
Russia struck Ukraine’s energy infrastructure over 130 times in August alone. We cannot allow this cycle of harm to continue and reiterate our call for Russia to accept the full and unconditional ceasefire offered by Ukraine, to enable negotiations towards a just and lasting peace.
Russia’s abuses extend beyond the battlefield: it is deceiving foreign nationals into fighting its illegal war, while militarising a generation of Ukrainian children in the Temporarily Occupied Territories.
Mr Møse, how can the Council strengthen accountability and help deter further attacks on essential infrastructure?
Thank you.