Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security in Ukraine

Madame President,

I would like to thank the briefers for their contribution and insight and also want to welcome the participation of Ukraine at this meeting.

Madame President,

Let me make a couple of points on behalf of my delegation:

One. Russia’s persistent bombing of Ukrainian cities. Not a day passes by without strikes by the Russian Armed Forces, killing and maiming citizens and reducing civilian infrastructure to rubble. In this year alone, more than 7.000 drone and missile attacks were recorded across Ukraine.

And as just confirmed by Ms. Wosornu this morning, in many cases, such attacks are followed by a second strike, killing first responders who already arrived at the site to save civilian lives. This approach to war needs to end, Slovenia condemns these “double-tap” tactics in the strongest possible terms. This is a worrisome pattern that we have seen in Gaza, and now in Ukraine.

Two. Russia’s unrelenting attacks against critical civilian energy infrastructure. In the past month, we have witnessed a string of Russian missile strikes that caused blackouts throughout Ukraine. In the March 22 attack alone, Russia unleashed 150 drones and missiles, which is the most substantial assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since the war started.

The March attacks were localized and aimed at inflicting permanent and irreparable damage to Ukraine’s power plants. As we have heard from Mr. Jenča, one of the strikes hit the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant dam, which is the largest dam in the country after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June last year. Once more, this brought us millimetres away from another environmental catastrophe orchestrated by Russia in this unnecessary war.

And, sadly, the aggressor systematically continues. Just last night, Russia directed more than 80 missiles and drones against power plants and energy infrastructure across Ukraine. Several hundred thousand people were left without electricity, a hospital was hit. Civilians, including two children, were killed.

These attacks against civilian objects and critical infrastructure are a blatant violation of international humanitarian law that is being trampled on each and every day by Russia. As next week we will celebrate the World Heritage Day, let me also point out the systematic targeting and destruction of Ukrainian cultural and religious heritage sites. They, too, are protected by the international law.

While Russia is very – and rightfully so – concerned for the destruction of Gaza and suffering of Palestinians there, it is demonstrating different standards when herself is destroying civilian infrastructure and killing civilians in Ukraine.

We call on Russia to cease with its subversion of any attempts for peace in Ukraine. While Russia claims it is ready to discuss peace, these attacks prove the exact opposite. The violations of international law need to stop. The suffering of civilians needs to stop. The aggression needs to stop.

Thank You.

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