The war in Ukraine is a ‘human rights disaster’ that must end, Türk said

Overcome Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk said his office had verified several things 15,280 civilians were killed and injured in Ukraine during the first eight months of this year – an average of more than 400 people every weekand 55 percent more than in the same period in 2025.

“The massive invasion carried out by the Russian Federation kills and injures hundreds of people every week. when the front line barely moves,he said, noting that apartment buildings, schools, health centers, train lines and shops have been hit recently.

The cruelty becomes real

The UN human rights chief said the latest report from his office found “shocking levels of sexual violence against civilians and prisoners of war”.

Of the more than 1,000 documented cases, 89 percent were caused by Russian authorities and 11 percent were caused by Ukraine. The majority of victims were men, especially in places of detention, but women and children were also affected, especially in occupied territories.

“This is fair one terrible manifestation of the cruelty that characterized this war. Apart from peace, there must be accountabilityhe said.

‘Laboratory for drone warfare’

Mr Türk said people across Ukraine did too live in constant fear, with air raid warnings in Kyiv active for 33 hours during a 48-hour period earlier this week.

Near the front lines, the Russian Federation’s use of aerial bombs in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia regions killed and injured nearly 2,500 civilians in the first eight months of the year; 62 percent higher than the same period last year.

“Ukraine is a laboratory of drone warfare,” he said, calling for urgent international action to address the carnage these weapons are causing around the world.

Attacks on energy infrastructure and commercial property have increased sharply, he said, and Russian attacks on supermarkets and food companies have caused temporary shortages of vegetables and dairy products in some areas. “As winter approaches, Ukrainians fear the worst may happen.”

An estimated 2,000 people are trapped in Oleshky without running water, electricity or gas, he added.

Civilian casualties in the Russian Federation were also reported to be increasing, Türk said, although his office could not fully verify the reports because it had not been granted access.

He urged Russian leaders to “consider the impact of this war on their own society,” and said it was necessary to do so drowning in fear, denial, and a militarized economy “that places death and destruction above health care and education”.

Mr Türk also said he was concerned about human rights violations related to the presence of fighters from third countries.

His staff has interviewed prisoners of war from 36 countries controlled by Ukraine, many of whom said they had conducted interviews tricked into joining the Russian army.

Steps towards peace

Mr Türk called for confidence-building measures based on human rights to rebuild momentum towards negotiations.

This could include an agreement to end attacks on economic targets and energy infrastructure, local ceasefires on the front lines, allowing civilians to leave – and a full exchange of prisoners of war.

“To the international community, and especially to countries with influence, I say: please take immediate action to encourage a negotiated peace now, before this tragedy gets worsehe said.