Ukraine to push for stronger UN Security Council action after deadly wave of Russian strikes on cities

Ukraine has announced plans to take its case to the United Nations Security Council following a series of Russian strikes that killed at least 15 people and injured more than 100 civilians across several Ukrainian cities.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the overnight attacks hit residential areas in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro and other regions, with civilian infrastructure heavily damaged.

Among the dead was a child, while emergency responders were also caught in follow-up strikes while assisting victims in Kyiv.

Three police officers and four paramedics were among those injured during rescue operations, underscoring the risks faced by first responders working in active strike zones.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the scale and timing of the attacks demonstrate a deliberate strategy targeting civilians, and confirmed that Kyiv will raise the issue at the UN Security Council meeting scheduled for April 20.

He said the strikes were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of escalation.

“Russia’s wave of terror against Ukraine is not accidental; it is part of its military strategy. Such attacks are planned in advance,” Sybiha said in a statement released by the Ukrainian Embassy in Nairobi.

He further accused Russian authorities of disregarding diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing hostilities, including proposals linked to a temporary Easter ceasefire.

“This indicates that when Ukraine proposed extending the Easter ceasefire and giving diplomacy a chance, the Russian leadership had already approved plans for further killings of civilians,” he added.

Kyiv says it will use the upcoming Security Council session to call for stronger international measures, arguing that existing diplomatic efforts have failed to prevent continued civilian casualties.

“The world must stand united in support of Ukraine, increase pressure on the aggressor, and work to hold it accountable,” Sybiha said, adding that global action is needed to restore respect for international law and the UN Charter.

The escalation comes amid growing concern over the humanitarian impact of the war. United Nations data cited by Ukrainian officials shows that 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, with 2,514 reported killed. This compares to 2,088 in 2024 and 1,974 in 2023.

Humanitarian agencies continue to warn that repeated strikes on populated areas are placing immense pressure on emergency services, while also deepening the destruction of critical infrastructure across multiple regions.

The UN Security Council meeting on April 20 is expected to become a focal point for renewed diplomatic confrontation over the war, with Ukraine seeking to rally international support for stronger accountability measures and increased pressure on Moscow.