UN official calls for probe of heavy civilian casualties, damage to Ukrainian infrastructure

The UN political chief calls for an investigation of massive civilian casualties and the destruction of hundreds of residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, and for those responsible to be held accountable.

Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo tells the UN Security Council that “international humanitarian law is crystal clear” in prohibiting direct attacks on civilians in military operations and ensuring their protection.

Yet, she says, many of the daily attacks that are battering Ukrainian cities “are reportedly indiscriminate, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.”

DiCarlo cites the UN human rights office’s latest statistics: 1,900 civilian casualties from the start of the war on February 24 to March 15, comprising 726 people killed, including 52 children, and 1,174 injured — with the actual number likely much higher.

“Most of these casualties were caused by the use in populated areas of explosive weapons with a wide impact area,” she says.

The UN development agency, UNDP, projects that if the war continues, 90% of Ukraine’s population could be facing poverty and extreme economic vulnerability, “setting the country — and the region — back decades, and leaving deep social and economic scars,” she said.