UN chief says life 'living hell' for Ukrainians 1 year into Russian war

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Life for Ukrainians is a "living hell" caused by Russia's war, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday as the international community marked one year since Moscow initiated its offensive.

The UN chief told the Security Council that 17.6 million people, or about 40% of Ukraine's population are in need of humanitarian assistance, two-in-five Ukrainians find themselves unable to afford food or access it, and 13.4 million have been displaced.

That includes about 8 million Ukrainians who fled the war, seeking refuge elsewhere in Europe amid widespread Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. The war, he said, has "sparked a displacement crisis not seen in Europe in decades."

"Peace has had no chance. War has ruled the day. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and international law. It has unleashed widespread death, destruction and displacement," Guterres said during Friday's ministerial-level Security Council meeting to mark the 1-year anniversary of the war.

"Life is a living hell for the people of Ukraine," he added. "We need peace -- peace in line with the UN Charter and international law."

Guterres further singled out Russia for its "barely veiled threats" to use nuclear arms during the course of the conflict, saying they have raised global risks "not seen since the darkest days of the Cold War."

"These threats are unacceptable."

At least 8,006 Ukrainian civilians have died and 13,287 have been injured since Russia began its war against Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, according to the UN's official tally.

The Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights cautions, however, that the true toll is "likely substantially higher" as the official count only accounts for casualties it could independently verify. Access to areas of searing hostilities has long been stymied by the dangers of the conflict.

Addressing the council, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Ukraine would not waiver in its defense, vowing to ensure that war crimes perpetrators would be held to account.

"Here's what Russian officials and servicemen have to know. You think you will get away with what you did? No. You will end up on trial. You will be testifying how strongly you were opposed to the aggression, and how you were just following orders," he said.

"In the short term Ukraine needs to restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally-recognized borders. And in the long run, justice must be served," he added.

As he concluded his remarks, Kuleba asked for those present in the chamber to hold a minute of silence "in memory of the victims of the aggression." As members stood solemnly, Russia interrupted, asking for the floor to make a statement.

"We are getting up on our feet to honor the memory of all victims of what has happened in Ukraine, starting in 2014, all of those who perished. All lives are priceless, and that is why we're rising, to honor the memory of them all," said Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's UN envoy.

The US, which has sought to marshal international support for Ukraine, maintained that it would remain resolute in Ukraine's defense.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that while "no country has endured greater hardship" from the "unjust, illegal and unprovoked war of aggression" pursued by Russia, the fallout from the conflict, including soaring prices for everything from foodstuffs to energy, has been felt by nations worldwide..

"And yet nations around the world continue to stand with Ukraine because we all recognize that if we abandon Ukraine, we abandoned the UN Charter itself, and the principles and rules that make all countries safer and more secure," he said.

"If we do not defend these basic principles, we invite a world in which makes right the strong dominate the weak. That's the world this body was created to end and members of this council have a unique responsibility to make sure that we do not return to it," he added.

Nebenzia, Russia's UN diplomat, said the US and the West generally are "just worsening the situation" by supporting Ukraine with military aid and other battlefield assistance, saying "you leave us with no option rather than other than to eliminate threats from Russia from the territory of Ukraine militarily."

"Our relations will never be the same. We do not believe you and restoring our trust will be very difficult if at all possible, because what's important here are deeds, not words," he said.