This year has become one of the deadliest for Ukraine’s civilian population due to intensified Russian shelling.
This was stated by Kyoko Yokosuka Goto, a representative of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, at a UN Security Council meeting.
“Despite cautious optimism regarding renewed diplomatic efforts, 2025 has become one of the deadliest years for the people of Ukraine… Civilian casualties from January to November were 24% higher compared to the same period in 2024,” Goto noted, adding that these numbers continue to rise due to the escalation of Russian airstrikes across Ukraine.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, UN structures have confirmed the deaths of 14,775 civilians in Ukraine, including 755 children, and more than 39,000 people have been injured, including 2,416 children.
The UN representative highlighted that “systematic attacks on energy infrastructure in the middle of winter threaten to leave millions of people without reliable heating, water, and public transportation.”
She also reported the destruction of over 340 educational institutions and serious problems with access to essential services in frontline communities in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Sumy regions.
“People in Ukraine are seeking a just and lasting peace that meets their expectations and ensures long-term regional stability,” the UN representative emphasized.
Goto stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts to achieve peace:
“We hope that the ongoing US-led diplomatic initiatives will help bring the war to an end through negotiations.”
She also recalled the UN Secretary-General’s calls for a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire and urged all parties to “actively engage in the diplomatic process for a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace.”
At the same time, Goto added that any peace agreements must be based on respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
