00:00Reports also referred to an increase in military cooperation between the DPRK
00:05and the Russian Federation. The President of the Russian Federation confirmed
00:10that Russia had tested a new conventional medium-range missile called Oreshnik,
00:18recorded over 12,340 civilians killed and more than 27,836 civilians injured in Ukraine.
00:30Thank you very much, Mr. President.
00:36More than 1,000 days have passed since the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine
00:43launched on 24 February 2022 in violation of the UN Charter and of international law.
00:51Since then, hostilities across Ukraine have continued to escalate, exacerbating humanitarian
00:59needs. Since the last briefing to the Security Council on this topic on 31 October 2024,
01:08we have continued to witness unacceptable levels of civilian death and injuries, as well as the
01:15systematic and deliberate targeting by the Russian Federation of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
01:21These large-scale attacks raise grave concerns for the welfare of civilians who are facing a
01:29winter of hardship and misery. Meanwhile, incidents of conflict-related sexual violence
01:37and other violations of human rights also remained a grave concern. All parties to any
01:44armed conflict have an obligation to respect and protect civilians and civilian objects,
01:51as well as to comply with applicable international law, including international humanitarian law,
01:58which prohibits, amongst others, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks and to support
02:04international efforts to investigate violations. Mr. President, transfers of arms and ammunition
02:13and the provision of other forms of military assistance to the armed forces of Ukraine
02:18have also continued. The transfers have reportedly included heavy conventional weapons,
02:25such as battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, combat aircraft, helicopters,
02:32large-caliber artillery systems, missile systems and uncrewed combat aerial vehicles,
02:37as well as remotely operated munitions and small arms and light weapons and their ammunition.
02:44There have also been reports of states transferring or planning to transfer weapons,
02:49such as uncrewed aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles and ammunition to the Russian armed
02:55forces, and that those weapons have been used and are likely to be used in Ukraine.
03:02Reports also refer to an increase in military cooperation between the DPRK
03:09and the Russian Federation. This includes reports of the DPRK having transferred military supplies,
03:17such as ballistic missiles and artillery shells, as well as technical exchanges
03:22and DPRK troop deployment to the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.
03:28Although the United Nations is not in a position to verify or confirm any claims or reports made,
03:36the Secretary General issued a statement on 3 November, noting his concern about reports of
03:42troops from the DPRK being sent to the Russian Federation, including their possible deployment
03:49to the conflict zone. He said this would represent a very dangerous escalation of war in Ukraine.
03:59I reiterate that any transfer of weapons and ammunition must take place consistently
04:04with the applicable international legal framework, including relevant Security Council
04:12resolutions, which in certain instances impose sanctions and restricted measures on such transfers.
04:22Mr President, the use of armed uncrewed aerial vehicles and missiles by the Russian Federation
04:29continues to cause civilian death and injuries, as well as damage to civilian infrastructure
04:36in Ukraine. On 21 November, the President of the Russian Federation confirmed that Russia
04:44had tested a new conventional medium-range missile called Oreshnik. This followed the
04:53use of US and UK-provided long-range weapons by the armed forces of Ukraine against the territory
05:00of the Russian Federation, some of which reportedly resulted in damage to civilian objects.
05:09I urge all concerned to refrain from any steps that may lead to further spillover
05:16and intensification of the conflict, as well as any further harm to civilians.
05:23Indeed, between 24 February 2022 and 30 November 2024, the Office of the United Nations High
05:33Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR, recorded over 12,340 civilians killed and more than 27,836
05:46civilians injured in Ukraine. The same office notes that 42% of casualties in Ukraine in November
05:56resulted from the use of long-range weapons launched by the Russian Federation,
06:01a significant increase from previous months. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring
06:08in Ukraine verified data, aerial bombs killed 341 civilians and injured 1,803 from 1 January
06:20through 30 November 2024, a three-fold increase in fatalities and a six-fold increase in injuries
06:31from aerial bombs compared to 2023. In addition, there have also been reports of a number of
06:41cross-border strikes using missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles by Ukraine inside the Russian
06:48Federation, with some reportedly resulting in damage to civilian objects. Just like any other
06:57weapons or weapon systems, armed uncrewed aerial vehicles and missiles must not be used in a manner
07:04inconsistent with international humanitarian law. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas
07:13remains one of the most significant threats to civilians in armed conflict.
07:18Such use of these weapons is unacceptable in view of the well-documented pattern of civilian harm
07:27and the likelihood of indiscriminate effects. Reports of the use and transfer of cluster
07:34munitions remain deeply concerning due to the indiscriminate harm these weapons can cause
07:41and the widespread contamination they leave behind.
07:47Equally alarming are recent announcements regarding the transfers of non-persistent
07:53antipersonnel landmines. These explosive devices are prohibited under the Convention on the
07:59Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Antipersonnel Mines and on their
08:06destructions. The universal participation in and the full implementation at all times and under
08:16any circumstances of the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions
08:23and Convention on Prohibitions or restrictions on the use of certain conventional weapons
08:28must remain a priority. I reiterate my call on all States to abide by their international
08:37humanitarian law obligations and to become parties as a matter of priority to disarmament
08:44treaties and comply with the obligations therein. Compliance with these obligations is crucial
08:51in preventing unnecessary suffering or spurious injury to persons and in protecting civilians.
09:02I also reiterate the Secretary-General's call for States to reduce the human cost of weapons,
09:08including by endorsing the political declaration on strengthening the protection of civilians from
09:14the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas
09:21if they have not already done so and establish mechanisms to mitigate harm to civilians.
09:29Mr President, measures to prevent and mitigate the risk of diversion of weapons and ammunitions
09:36are key for preventing further instability and insecurity in Ukraine, the region and beyond.
09:44Such efforts by all parties involved in arms transfers will also be essential
09:50to post-conflict recovery. Universal participation in arms control treaties and instruments
09:58along with their full and effective implementation is key to preventing the diversion of conventional
10:05arms and regulating the international arms trade. This includes arms trade treaty, the firearms
10:12protocol, the programme of action on small arms and light weapons and its international
10:17tracing instrument and the global framework for through life conventional ammunition management.
10:26Mr President, I reiterate Secretary-General's call for just, lasting and comprehensive peace
10:33in Ukraine consistent with the UN Charter and in line with the relevant General Assembly
10:41resolutions. The United Nations will continue to stand ready to use our good offices and to support
10:49all meaningful efforts to this end. I thank you very much for your attention.
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