UN denounces the use of heavy weapons by Russia against Ukrainian cities

The United Nations Organization (UN) denounced the increase in attacks against civilians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and expressed concern about the use of heavy weapons against cities in the country.

“The secretary general (António Guterres) is very concerned about the use of heavy weapons against urban centers in Ukraine. These weapons can have a horrible impact on the civilian population”, said his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric.

He declared that with the deaths of civilians and the damage to civilian infrastructure that have been known in recent hours, it is increasingly clear “the human cost” who is having the conflict.

Until now, as of February 28, the United Nations had counted the death of 136 civilians in attacks, but Dujarric assured this Tuesday that it is feared that the real number is much higher.

On the humanitarian front, he said that UN agencies and their partners continue to deliver aid despite difficulties, even in areas with difficult access.

On Sunday, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) delivered a first truckload of aid to central Ukraine to support families in shelters after being evacuated and others in need.

In addition, the first shipments of food organized by the World Food Program (WFP) are on their way from Turkey, according to Dujarric.

On the other hand, the spokesman assured that in recent days Guterres repeatedly tried to guarantee that the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, could travel to Geneva in order to participate in the UN Human Rights Council.

Lavrov finally announced on Monday that he was canceling his trip due to the ban on his plane flying over the airspace of several European countries.

Dujarric affirmed that Guterres came to speak twice with the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, so that Lavrov could arrive in Geneva without the efforts being successful.