US condemns Russia’s missile attacks on Ukraine at UN Security Council meeting, calling it “another dangerous and inexplicable escalation.”
UN Security Council Meeting on Russian Attacks
On Monday, January 12, the UN Security Council met after Russia attacked Ukraine using an Oreshnik ballistic missile. The discussions focused on the escalation of Russian attacks and the situation of the civilian population. The United States and its allies accused Moscow of undermining peace efforts and escalating the conflict, with Poland taking a similar stance.
US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce stated that Moscow’s actions contradict its declarations of wanting to end the war, particularly highlighting recent military actions. “Russia has conducted more attacks on Ukraine, including using the Oreshnik, capable of carrying nuclear payloads, in the border area with Poland and NATO,” said Bruce. “These Russian actions threaten to expand and intensify the war… This is another dangerous and inexplicable escalation,” she added.
Russia Responds to Accusations
Russian representatives stated that Ukraine is blocking progress in peace talks and that Moscow will continue its offensive until Kyiv agrees to its proposed negotiation conditions. The Russian side maintains its earlier position that the military does not attack civilian objects, and when it attacks military objects, it is “only in retaliation for Ukraine’s strikes.”
Bloomberg published a report on Russian drone and missile attacks last year. According to statistics, during a year of peace negotiations, Russia killed over 2,400 Ukrainian civilians in air attacks and injured 12,000 people. According to Bloomberg, in the last six months, Moscow fired nearly 5,500 drones monthly toward Ukrainian cities on average.
Nighttime Attacks on Ukraine
Russia continues to terrorize Ukrainians with nighttime attacks to gain a better negotiating position, according to independent military analysts. Ukrainians do not remain idle and regularly attack Russian military bases, fuel depots, and power grids with drones.
On the night of January 14, Russian drones struck several Ukrainian regions. In Kryvyi Rih, energy infrastructure was damaged, leaving thousands without heating and electricity. In Kyiv, at least 500 buildings have no heating, and power outages last for many hours. Ukrainian journalist and analyst Serhij Harmasz notes that Russian attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure are an attempt to pressure authorities in Kyiv into signing an unfavorable peace agreement. “Terror against the civilian population. What can be the purpose of such actions? Only intimidation. People are shown that it could be worse, that living conditions could become unbearable,” emphasized the Ukrainian publicist.