Escalation of Russian terror reflects Kremlin's growing desperation, Ukraine tells OSCE

Yurii Vitrenko, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to international organisations in Vienna, has told the OSCE that Russia's escalation of its campaign of terror against Ukraine's civilian population reflects the Kremlin's growing desperation after failing to achieve its strategic objectives in the war.

Source: Vitrenko at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, as quoted by Ukrinform; Vitrenko on Facebook

Quote: "Russia's escalation of its campaign of terror against the civilian population and its brutal actions in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are a clear manifestation of the Kremlin's growing desperation. Russia has failed to achieve any of its strategic objectives. It has failed to destroy Ukrainian statehood just as it has failed to break the Ukrainian people's determination to resist."

Details: Vitrenko told OSCE member states that Russia had carried out one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine on the night of 1-2 July. More than 20 sites were damaged in Kyiv, most of them residential buildings. An ambulance station, a research institute, a hotel and businesses were also damaged.

Moreover, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Cherkasy oblasts also came under attack.

The Ukrainian representative also said that Russia had launched around 1,400 attack drones, nearly 1,500 guided aerial bombs and 19 missiles against Ukraine last week alone.

Quote: "The overwhelming majority of Russia's strikes are directed not at military or defence facilities, but at civilian targets, including critical infrastructure facilities, transport networks, educational institutions and healthcare facilities."

Details: Vitrenko added that the relentless attacks on Ukraine's healthcare infrastructure facilities are of particular concern.

Quote: "According to Ukraine's Ministry of Health, at least 2,617 medical facilities have been attacked since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, 331 of which have been completely destroyed. Since the beginning of this year alone, the World Health Organization's surveillance system has recorded 300 attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel in Ukraine. According to confirmed WHO data, these attacks have killed 15 people and injured another 116. These inhumane methods employed by the aggressor must not become the norm."

More details: Meanwhile, Vitrenko said that instead of the swift victory the Kremlin had expected, it has become embroiled in a protracted war that has already cost Russia nearly 1.5 million casualties. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to successfully strike facilities belonging to Russia's military-industrial complex and the oil sector.

Quote: "The Kremlin may try to conceal the scale of these losses, but it cannot escape the consequences of its own illegal aggression. Sanctions against Russia, as well as against all those who support its war of aggression, must be strengthened, existing loopholes must be closed, and sanctions enforcement must be ensured. Only sustained pressure can force Russia to end its war of aggression. Every step that strengthens Ukraine and increases the cost of Russia's aggression brings us closer to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace."

Background:

• Russia launched a massive combined attack on Ukraine using attack drones as well as air-, land- and sea-launched missiles of various types on the night of 1-2 July. Ukraine's air defences downed 524 of the 570 aerial targets launched, although hits by 25 ballistic missiles and 12 attack drones were reported.
• It was later reported that the death toll from Russia's combined attack on Kyiv had risen to 27.

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