Warning the Security Council, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu said that since the last briefing on weapons transfers only two weeks ago, the provision of military assistance and transfer of arms and ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces have continued in the context of Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter and of international law<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cAny transfer of weapons and ammunition must be compliant with the applicable international legal framework<\/strong>, including of course, relevant Security Council resolutions, which in certain instances impose sanctions and restrictive measures on such transfers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Shipments reportedly included such heavy conventional weapons as tanks, armoured combat vehicles and aircraft, helicopters, large-calibre artillery and missile systems and uncrewed combat aerial vehicles alongside remotely operated munitions, small arms and light weapons and their ammunition.<\/p>\n She also pointed to reports of States transferring, or planning to transfer, weapons such as uncrewed aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles and ammunition to the Russian armed forces and that these weapons have been used and are likely to be used in Ukraine.<\/p>\n Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, briefs the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The High Representative raised deep concerns about reports related to the use and transfer of cluster munitions\u00a0<\/strong>since the beginning of the conflict and the widespread contamination with mines and explosive remnants of war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n Reminding the 15-member Council of the importance and value of international law in today\u2019s challenging security context, she called on Member States to comply with obligations to various disarmament treaties, particularly conventions on\u00a0cluster munitions, anti-personnel\u00a0mines and what is referred to as \u201ccertain conventional weapons\u201d deemed to be indiscriminate or excessively injurious, such as\u00a0booby traps, weaponised\u00a0lasers designed to cause permanent blindness and\u00a0incendiary weapons.<\/p>\n The universal participation in and the full implementation of these treaties must remain a priority<\/strong>, she said, calling on all States to abide by their international humanitarian law obligations and to become parties as a matter of priority to disarmament treaties and comply with the obligations therein.<\/p>\n \u201cCompliance with these obligations is crucial in preventing the causing of unnecessary suffering or superfluous injury to persons and in protecting civilians,\u201d she said, underscoring that importing, transit, producing and exporting States must act responsibly at every step along the arms and ammunition transfer chain to prevent and detect diversion, illicit trafficking and misuse.<\/p>\n Since Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded over 11,700 civilians killed and more than 24,600 civilians injured in Ukraine.<\/p>\n According to the OHCHR, August was the month with the second highest number of civilian casualties in 2024<\/strong>, after July, with at least 184 civilians killed and 856 injured in Ukraine.<\/p>\n The use of armed uncrewed aerial vehicles and missiles by Russia continues to cause civilian deaths and injuries as well as damage to civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, Ms. Nakamitsu said.<\/p>\n In addition, there have also been reports of a number of cross-border strikes using missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles by Ukraine inside Russia, with some resulting in civilian casualties and damage to civilian objects.<\/p>\n \u201cArmed uncrewed aerial vehicles and missiles must not be used in a manner inconsistent with international humanitarian law,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cAll parties to any armed conflict have an obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Ukraine and its Western backers are looking for ways to break the situation on the battleground, but heavy losses have been reported of weapons already sent to Kyiv. Moreover, multiple reports indicate that Ukrainian forces are using chemical weapons, he said, adding that Moscow will continue to inform the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).<\/p>\n Turning to the possibility of easing the entry of weapons into Ukraine, he said \u201cif the decision to lift restrictions is really taken, that will mean that from that moment NATO countries will be conducting direct war with Russia<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn this case, we will have to take the relevant decisions with all the consequences that the Western aggressors would incur,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re not talking about a game here. The facts are that NATO will be a direct party to hostilities against a nuclear power.\u201d<\/p>\n US Ambassador Robert Wood highlighted new developments, saying Iranian personnel trained Russian military personnel this past summer on the use of Iran\u2019s Project 360 close-range ballistic missiles, and Russia received the first shipment of hundreds of these missiles from Iran in early September.<\/p>\n With a maximum range of 75 miles, the missiles are enabling Russia to preserve its longer-range capabilities for use throughout Ukraine, deepening Russian arsenals and giving it the ability to destroy more Ukrainian infrastructure ahead of winter while destabilising European security.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no legitimate excuse for what Russia is doing in Ukraine<\/strong>,\u201d he said, adding that the US will continue to support Kyiv\u2019s ability to defend itself and that \u201cwe will not back down.\u201d<\/p>\n UK Deputy Permanent Representative James Kariuki said that \u201cby calling this meeting today on Western weapons transfers to Ukraine, Russia has, yet again, succeeded only in drawing our attention to its continued hypocrisy.\u201d<\/p>\n He said Iranian close-range ballistic missiles will \u201csoon reach European soil\u201d, and Russia continues to purchase significant quantities of weapons from the Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, in violation of Council resolutions \u201cRussia itself voted for\u201d.<\/p>\n Moscow\u2019s war in Ukraine is a \u201cflagrant violation\u201d of international law and the UN Charter, he said, adding that \u201cwe will not be deterred from our unwavering support for Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the full Security Council meeting below:<\/em><\/p>\n Meanwhile in Washington, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden are due to meet on Friday to discuss the ongoing situation. Earlier in the day, Moscow expelled six British diplomats, accusing them of spying, which the UK Foreign Office said was a \u201ccompletely baseless\u201d charge.<\/p>\n The White House meeting follows on from Kyiv\u2019s renewed requests for long-range missiles to strike, according to media reports.<\/p>\n The two leaders are expected to address Ukraine\u2019s request to ease restrictions on using weapons supplied by Washington and London.<\/p>\n At the same time, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan said justice must play a central role\u00a0in confronting aggression and combatting attempts to wield unbridled power in a statement issued\u00a0upon the conclusion of his sixth visit to Ukraine since the war began.<\/p>\n Pointing to Kyiv\u2019s recent decision to sign the Rome Statute that recognises the ICC, he said \u201cit is remarkable that amidst bombs and abductions, as children are targeted and intentional suffering is inflicted against civilians, the people and authorities of Ukraine have set an example by turning to the law as their ally<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat a State, amidst the most intense heat of conflict turns ever more firmly towards the law, is something to recognise and applaud, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe should not underestimate the significance of this moment. This decision by Ukraine, especially at this moment, strengthens not only the protection that international law can provide to the people of Ukraine, but to all people subjected to aggression, tyranny and atrocities globally.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Khan called it a powerful act of unity and solidarity at a time \u201cwhen many seek to drive a wedge between those that believe in the rule of law\u201d.<\/p>\n Sending a message of \u201chope and a clear warning\u201d, he said those who trespass in Ukraine \u201cshould know that we are united in holding them to account\u201d.<\/p>\nStates must abide by global arms treaties<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Civilian deaths keep rising<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Russia: Ukraine uses chemical weapons<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nUS reports new Iranian missile shipments<\/strong><\/h2>\n
UK voices unwavering support for Kyiv<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Ukraine requests long-range missiles<\/strong><\/h2>\n
ICC: \u2018Justice must play central role\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Hope and \u2018a clear warning\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n