UN Geneva - Multimedia Newsroom : HRC 63 - Human Rights in Ukraine

This English President's excellences.

Together with my colleague Linda Grovel, I'm presenting this oral update on the progress of the investigations of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on UK during its 5th mandate.

From 31st March to 26 4th and a half years since the full scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, the iron conflicts continues with devastating consequences.

Over 17,000 civilians have been killed and almost 54,000 injured in Ukraine during this.

According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, between January and September 226, the escalation of attacks by the Russian Federation using long range weapons in populating areas has led to 55% increase in civilian casualties compared to the same.

In 225, a growing number of attacks by Ukrainian armed forces on the Russian territory and occupied areas has led to reported increase of civilian casualties and damage or destruction of civilian objects, according to Russian sources.

However, lack of access has hindered investigations of these incidents.

Civilian casualties from attacks by short range drones near the frontline have also risen.

Russian media channels continue to post videos and texts that show that intentional targeted of civilians by drones and even brag about it.

The Commission recalls that in its report from 2:25, it concluded that the Russian Armed Forces systematic attacks using short range drones along the right Bank of the Gennipro River amounted to crimes against humanity and they're committed with the purpose of spreading terror among the civilian population in violation of international humanitarian law.

Further, with winter approaching, the Commission is worried about the adverse impact on living conditions of civilians due to the extensive damage or destruction, damage or destruction of Ukraine energy related installations caused by systematic waves of attacks by the Russian Armed Forces since October 222.

Being independent and impartial, the Commission continues its effort to investigate incidents and violations on both sides of the frontline.

During this mandate, the Commission has so far focused on the impact on civilian of large scale attacks targeting energy infrastructure, the patriotic and military education imposed on children and the recruitment of foreigners to fight in the armed conflict.

We extend our gratitude to all who have shared valuable information with us, including the Government of Ukraine, organisations and persons affected by the armed conflict.

The Commission regrets that the Russian Federation did not respond to 41 communications addressed to it since 2:22 with detailed questions concerning its investigations.

Distinguished President's Excellencies during the hard harsh winter of two 25226.

As temperature plunge to -20°C, the Russian Armed Forces continued to launch waves of attacks targeted Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure.

More power installations, transmission lines, heat supply facilities and gas facilities have been damaged and destroyed.

Millions of civilians suffered due to drastic electricity cuts, shortage or total absence of heatings for weeks.

In interviews with the Commission, civilians described how the temperature in their apartments dropped to levels where many developed health problems, including psychological conditions.

The Ukrainian authorities documented cold related deaths and injuries.

Those who had the possibility relocated during the coldest months.

The Commission has also followed reports concerning attacks by Ukrainian Armed forces on infrastructure in the Russian Federation and in the Russians controlled area of Ukraine.

Turning to the occupied areas of Ukraine, the Commission has investigated the imposition of Russian patriotic and military education on Ukrainian children.

Since 2/22, the Russian Federation has strengthened and systematically emphasised patriotic education in its own curriculum, which it has extended to the occupied areas.

Classes and programmes devoted to patriotic lectures about the Russian federations have been added and made compulsory, including for children as young as three years in preschool.

Ukrainian children in occupied areas are forced to enrol in schools which follow the Russian curriculum with teachings glorifying the Russian Federation.

Non compliance is met with threats and coercion.

Modules on practical military training, teaching children to handle and use weapons and perform military drills are part of the mandatory curriculum for children starting at age 14.

State sponsored Russian youth organisations that further reinforce patriotic indoctrination and specialised military training have increased their presence in occupied territories, including in schools.

Teachers exert pressure on children to join those organisations.

Exposure to patriotic and military training has a profound impact on children.

Some find this system unbearable, choose to flee to territories under Ukrainian government control, often alone, and encounter considerably considerably security risks and hardship.

1/3 area of the Commission's ongoing investigations is the recruitment of foreign nationals to fight in the armed conflict.

Some join both armed forces knowingly and voluntarily.

Many others were deceived or coerced into joining the Russian armed forces.

The Commission has deepened its investigation into the second group.

We know that several states, including members of this Council, have not yet responded to our questions.

Foreign nationals from the other countries in different continents have been glued into serving in the Russian armed forces through a network of agents and intermediaries.

They were promised lucrative civilian jobs, provided with tickets and visas and were met by agents at the Russian airports soon after arrival.

They were compelled to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence.

The vast majority did not understand Russian or the terms of these contracts and shortly found themselves serving on the frontline in Ukraine.

Some foreigners who were present in the Russian Federation, including persons serving prison sentences, were coerced by Russian authorities to join the armed forces fighting in Ukraine.

Many among the recruits died shortly after reaching the front lines, went missing, were injured or were captured by Ukrainian armed forces.

The families are left with the agonising task of searching for their loved ones from afar, often without much assistance.

The recruiting agents usually block their calls.

As the armed conflict continues, the Commission is concerned by the ongoing severe psychological, physical and psychological consequences as well as are the impact of the destruction and the grave hardships imposed on the victims and their families.

It reiterates the importance of judicial and non judicial accountability, including multifaceted support to the victims.

[Other language spoken]

President, Ukraine highly values the vital work of the independent international Commission of Inquiry and thanks it for its oral update and its continued efforts to fulfil its mandate.

The Commission's investigation have consistently exposed a grim reality.

Russia continues to commit grave violations of international law as part of its ongoing quarter of aggression against Ukraine.

Behind every finding are people whose lives have been shuttered, children separated from their families, civilians tortured in in detention, prisoners of war subjected to abuse and communities terrorised by relentless attacks.

Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine energy infrastructure threatened to trigger a humanitarian catastrophe this winter.

Prolonged disruptions to electricity, heating, water and sanitation service could leave millions facing life threatening conditions, particularly children, older persons and persons with disabilities particularly at risk.

Yet in the temporary occupied territories, such a catastrophe is already unfolding.

In Oleshki and surrounding communities of the Herzon region, Russia has effectively trapped civilians in life threatening conditions, obstructing humanitarian access and evacuation, while people face acute shortages in food, drinking water and medicines.

Basic services have collapsed and civilians attempting to leave remain exposed to grave danger.

As occupying power, Russia bears clear obligations under international humanitarian law towards the civilian population.

We urge the Commission to investigate the obstruction of humanitarian access and evacuation on temporary occupied territories, including in temporary occupied territories, including Oleski, as well as attacks on essential infrastructure and their humanitarian consequences.

The international community must act urgently to help protect essential services and prevent further suffering.

[Other language spoken]

President, one of the most shocking crimes documented by the Commission is a deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children.

In its March 2026 report, the Commission verified the deportation of transfer of 1205 children and reported that approximately 80% had not been returned.

The Commission established that these were not so-called evacuations, but organised transfers carried out pushyant to a policy conceived and executed at the highest level of the Russian state.

It concluded that the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The militarisation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children in the temporary occupied territory of Ukraine compound these violations.

They seek to erase Ukrainian identity, severe ties with Ukraine and prepare children to serve the state occupying their homeland.

Russia must provide full information about the whereabouts of deported children, allow unhindered access to them and ensure their immediate and safe return.

[Other language spoken]

President, the Commissions previous findings also exposed the systematic abuse of the Russian justice system as a tool of repression against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war.

Confessions extracted through torture, fabricated evidence and predetermined verdicts cannot constitute justice.

Russia must respect the protected status of prisoners of war under international humanitarian law.

It must release unlawfully detained Ukrainian civilians and ensure independent international access to all places of detention.

The Commission has also documented Russia's predatory recruitment of foreign nationals, including through false promises of civilian employment and coercion into military service.

These practises exploit vulnerability and show a profound disregard for human life.

[Other language spoken]

President, Ukraine continues to advance, together with its partners, the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

Those responsible for launching and sustaining this war must face justice.

Accountability for the crime of aggression must complement accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

We are also advancing the international compensation mechanism, including efforts to establish an International Claims Commission.

Victims need both justice and reparation.

The Commission's work remains essential to documenting violations and advancing accountability.

We reaffirm our strong support for its mandate and look forward to its report to the General Assembly in October.

Impunity emboldens perpetrators and enables further crimes.

The Council must send a clear message.

No victim will be forgotten and no perpetrator should be beyond the reach of justice.

[Other language spoken]

Russia's violations in Ukraine are not isolated acts, but part of a deliberate and systematic policy.

No one pays a higher price for this policy than Ukrainian children.

Since the beginning of Russia's aggression, 731 children have been killed, 2785 injured, 2381 remain missing and 23 have survived conflict related sexual violence.

Russia's action go far beyond unlawful transfer and deportation.

Ukrainian children are abducted, given Russian documents and citizenship, placed in Russian families, exposed to propaganda and deprived of their Ukrainian identity.

Before the full scale invasion, around 1.6 million Ukrainian children lived in the temporary occupied territories.

Russia claims it has transferred 744,000 children and calls these actions so-called evacuation.

However, evacuation must end with a child's safe return to their family or homeland.

This policy extends far beyond children.

Today, between 3.5 and 5 million Ukrainians remain under Russian occupation.

They face restrictions on their fundamental rights every day.

People are forced to accept Russian passports.

Their homes are declared all or no less, and taken away.

Young people are subjected to military training, while thousands are recruited into the Russian army.

Ukraine's mission goes beyond defending our territory.

We stand for every child, every family, human dignity, human right.

This is the future of Ukraine, of Europe and of all those who believe in justice and accountability.

I call on the international community to stand with Ukraine and to expand the international coalition for the return of Ukrainian children.

Help identify the whereabouts of every Ukrainian child and ensure their safe return to Ukraine.

Strengthen pressure on Russia to provide a complete list of all unlawfully deported and transferred Ukrainian children in line with the Force Geneva Convention.

Ensure full access for international monitoring missions to the temporal occupied territories of Ukraine and hold all those responsible accountable.

[Other language spoken]

HRC 63 - Human Rights in Ukraine - 21 September 2026