Category: English

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

December 9, 2025 International law

The world is facing an alarming decline in respect for international law: armed conflicts are increasingly targeting civilians, and the risk of mass atrocities is rapidly growing. This was stated by the new UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Chalok Beyani, in her first interview since her appointment in August of this year.

Beyani recalled that his post was created by the UN Security Council following the tragedies in Rwanda and Srebrenica. Today, he said, parallels with the current crises are evident in many regions of the world. "We are witnessing massive violations of international human rights law, direct attacks on civilians, and a blatant disregard for humanitarian law. The risk of atrocities is extremely high," he noted.

The advisor paid special attention to Sudan, where the conflict in Darfur has been raging for decades. "Essentially, nothing has changed. The collapse of the civilian government has only exacerbated the crisis," he said, recalling that back in the 1990s, the situation in the region was the focus of a UN commission investigation.

The role of international law

The Office for the Prevention of Genocide and the Protection of Civilians serves as an "early warning system" within the UN. It informs the Secretary-General, the Security Council, and other bodies when a risk of mass crimes is detected. In its work, the Office relies on Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948It monitors developments in armed conflicts on ethnic or religious grounds, the spread of hate speech, and the erosion of the rule of law.

"Our task is not to study genocide, but to prevent it," Beyani emphasized, adding that the final decisions in each case are made by international courts.

© UNICEF/M. Jamal

Displaced persons camp in Sudan.

Judicial precedents and liability

The advisor noted the importance of effective justice systems for protecting vulnerable groups. Beyani cited the 2012 conviction of Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga by the International Criminal Court for using child soldiers. This conviction, he said, prompted other warlords to publicly renounce such practices.

Beyani also mentioned the International Court of Justice's provisional measures in the case of South Africa v. Israel, concerning the possible application of the Genocide Convention in Gaza, as well as the upcoming hearing of the Gambia v. Myanmar case. "Prevention also includes punishment," he emphasized.

New threats: disinformation and climate change

Among the current challenges, Beyani highlighted the rise of hate speech and disinformation online. His office is collaborating with tech companies, including Meta and Google, as well as religious and community leaders, to counter incitement to violence.

The advisor noted that climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly becoming catalysts for conflict. "We see tensions over resources, from the Sahel to small island states threatened by flooding. Climate itself is not the cause, but it amplifies other risk factors," he explained.

Indigenous peoples caught up in disputes over land and natural resources are particularly vulnerable in this situation. "Their identity and way of life make them particularly vulnerable to threats," Beyani noted.

Remember and act

The adviser says his office focuses primarily on diplomacy and preventative measures. "It was created for non-public interaction, consultations with the Secretary-General and the Security Council, and official statements are made only when necessary," he said.

Beyani emphasized that preventing genocide requires not only decisive action, but also preserving the memory of the victims of past crimes.

"We must remember the UN's promise of 'never again' and the foundation upon which the Genocide Convention stands. But even this is not enough. We must strengthen our response tools, build trust, and act proactively," the adviser emphasized.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

December 9, 2025 Peace and security

2025 has become one of the deadliest years for the people of Ukraine. The number of civilian casualties from January to November of this year is 24 percent higher than the same period in 2024. Kaeko Goto, Acting Head of the Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas Division at the Department of Political Affairs, warned this during a meeting of the UN Security Council.

According to her, the Russian Federation is intensifying air attacks across Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has confirmed the deaths of 14,775 Ukrainian civilians, including 755 children. Another 39,322 people, including 2,416 children, have been injured. The actual figures are likely significantly higher, Goto noted.

Attacks on civilian infrastructure

The UN representative also stated that systematic attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure threaten to leave millions of people without heat, water, and the ability to travel during winter weather. Furthermore, according to her statement, more than 340 educational institutions in the country have been damaged or destroyed this year.

Goto noted that local authorities in the Russian Federation also continue to report civilian casualties as a result of attacks by Ukrainian armed forces and damage to civilian infrastructure as a result of long-range strikes on military and energy facilities in the Russian Federation. However, due to lack of access and limited information, the UN is unable to verify these reports.

Goto stressed that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited by international law, wherever they occur.

The situation in the Black Sea

She also noted the UN's concern over recent reports of incidents involving shipping and port infrastructure in the Black Sea. On December 5, Bulgarian authorities began evacuating the crew of an oil tanker that caught fire near the Black Sea port of Ahtopol. Two Russian tankers were reportedly hit by Ukrainian drones in Turkey's exclusive economic zone on November 29. Furthermore, on December 2, another Russian-flagged tanker was reportedly attacked by a drone off the Turkish coast. There are also reports of Russian attacks on infrastructure in the Ukrainian port of Odessa, as well as suspected Ukrainian attacks on the Azov port of Temryuk in Russia's Krasnodar region.

"While no casualties have been reported, these incidents represent another step in the current dangerous cycle of escalation," Goto said.

Escalation risks

"We continue to call on all interested parties to reduce tensions and prevent the risk of further escalation of the conflict. This certainly applies to the enormous danger that war poses to nuclear facilities," she continued.

According to the speaker, despite the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant continues to experience power outages due to ongoing attacks in the surrounding area. The IAEA also conducted a comprehensive safety assessment of the New Safe Confinement at the Chernobyl facility, which concluded that the structure has lost its essential functions.

“We remain deeply concerned about the systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the territories of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation,” Goto added.

"The people of Ukraine want peace—just and lasting. Meeting these aspirations and ensuring the region's long-term stability must remain our collective priority," the UN representative emphasized. "That's why we hope that ongoing diplomatic efforts, led by the United States, will help bring this war to a negotiated end."

Humanitarian situation

Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya, speaking on behalf of UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, said that rocket and drone attacks across Ukraine continue to kill and injure civilians and disrupt vital services.

She said older people, people with disabilities, and families with small children are increasingly choosing to evacuate after days without heat, clean water, or a stable power supply.

"Last week, a strike in Kherson damaged a thermal power plant serving thousands of residents. A doctor from a nearby clinic told our team, 'People can survive without electricity for a while, but not without heat. Without heat, the condition of our elderly patients deteriorates within hours,'" Msuya said.

Efforts to help Ukrainians

A spokeswoman for the UN Humanitarian Office said 44 convoys have delivered essential supplies to 50,000 civilians in hard-to-reach areas of Ukraine along the front line this year.

However, donors have provided only 65 percent of the $278 million needed to implement Winter Response PlanPublished the day before Global Humanitarian Plan highlights the scale of the need: 10.8 million Ukrainians will need assistance in 2026.

"The lack of funding is costing lives. Families are living without heat during freezing temperatures; women and girls are losing access to safe spaces; and elderly people in frontline areas are left without the means to evacuate," warned Msuya.

She called on Security Council members to use all available tools to ensure respect for humanitarian law and to provide the necessary funding to support the people of Ukraine.

The material is being updated

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

December 8, 2025 Peace and security

The Ukrainian village of Ingulka, located approximately 40 kilometers north of Mykolaiv, has a population of approximately 2,000. There is only one school, which is also attended by children from neighboring villages. Recently, two of its basements were converted into safe and comfortable shelters where children can attend in-person classes.

The renovation was carried out with the support of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and Denmark.

Today, Ukrainian children can only attend in-person classes in schools with certified shelters. When an air raid alarm sounds, teachers take their children underground, sometimes for hours. If there is no shelter or it is in poor condition, learning is only possible online.

© UNOPS/O. Marchuk

"Schools were built with basement shelters before, back in Soviet times. Then they gradually fell into disrepair," explains Vadim Kobylinsky, director of the Ingul Lyceum.

Following renovations carried out by UNOPS, the lyceum now has two equipped shelters with a total capacity of 250 people – enough for all 239 students who come here from Ingulka and neighboring villages.

"Our children have already returned to class. The teachers are delighted. Now, when another air raid alarm sounds, the students simply go underground and continue their lessons without interruption – in a cozy, comfortable, well-lit, and warm room," says Kobylinsky.

"We support our students and want them to develop in various fields. We have a folk ensemble that has won numerous competitions. We have a professional football coach working with the team. The children have many opportunities beyond their studies," he adds.

© UNOPS

UNOPS engineer Grigory Komisarov, who was responsible for the shelter repairs, says he was pleased to create a safer environment for the schoolchildren.

"The Ukrainian education system has suffered greatly since the invasion, as attending classes has become much more difficult. This has forced many families to make the difficult decision to leave and start a new life elsewhere. By creating such shelters, we are helping future generations remain and grow in Ukraine," he noted.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.