The UN Deputy High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Adedeji Ebo, briefed the ambassadors and also provided an update on casualty figures.
Mr. Ebo said that since the last briefing on June 14, “the provision of military assistance and the transfer of arms and ammunition to the armed forces of Ukraine has continued in the context of the large-scale invasion of that country launched by the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022, in violation of the UN Charter and international law.”
According to publicly available information, the transfers are believed to include heavy conventional weapons, such as main battle tanks, armoured vehicles and helicopters, as well as light and small arms, anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions.
“In addition, there have been reports of states transferring or planning to transfer weapons such as unmanned aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles and ammunition to the Russian armed forces, and that these weapons have been used in Ukraine,” he said.
Weapons and escalation of conflict
He stressed that the inflow of weapons and ammunition into areas of armed conflict can contribute to escalation. It also carries a significant risk of diversion and proliferation, even after the fighting has ended.
“Any transfer of arms and ammunition must take place in accordance with the applicable international legal framework, including, of course, the relevant Security Council “resolutions,” he said.
He told the Council that measures to address the risk of arms diversion are essential to prevent further instability and insecurity in Ukraine. They will also be crucial for post-conflict recovery.
He recalled that countries met last month to review progress in the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and its International Tracing Instrument.
They also adopted by consensus measures to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons for the period up to 2030.
He called on States to fulfil these and other related commitments and their obligations under other instruments, to prevent the diversion of arms and to regulate the international arms trade.
The number of victims is likely to be higher
Regarding casualties, Mr Ebo said that 11,430 people have been killed and 23,228 wounded in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The actual figures are probably much higher.
According to the OHCHR, 72 percent of civilian casualties in June were caused by artillery fire, rocket launchers and airstrikes, while just over a quarter (26 percent) were caused by rocket attacks and munitions.
In addition, the number of child casualties in June was the highest this year, which he described as very worrying.
“The use of armed unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles continues to cause civilian casualties and injuries, and damage civilian infrastructure,” he said.
“In addition, there are also reports of an increasing number of cross-border missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks by Ukraine into the Russian Federation, some of which, according to Russian authorities, have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.”
Mr Ebo urged all parties to refrain from actions that could endanger civilians.
He stressed that the UN will continue to work for peace in Ukraine “in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter and relevant General Assembly resolutions.”
