Ukraine’s UN Envoy Demands Action Against Russia’s ‘Ballistic Terror’ at Security Council

Ukraine's UN Ambassador Andriy Melnyk urged the Security Council on Monday to take action against Russia's escalating ballistic missile campaign. Melnyk, speaking as Ukraine commemorated its 35th anniversary of independence, argued that Russia is losing the war and would ultimately be defeated despite increasing attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.

He highlighted Russia's economic and military costs, including weakened state finances, falling energy revenues, battlefield losses, and Ukraine's strikes against infrastructure supporting Moscow's war effort. Melnyk also pointed to warnings from within Russia's economic establishment that the prolonged war could lead to serious consequences for the country.

In terms of legal justification, Melnyk stated that infrastructure contributing to Russia's military operations and whose destruction would provide a clear military advantage could be considered a military objective under Article 52, paragraph 2, of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. This would also apply to Russia's dual-use infrastructure.

The Ukrainian ambassador emphasized that Ukraine's armed forces target only military objectives that contribute to Russia's war efforts and never civilians, following the principles of necessity, proportionality, distinction, and international humanitarian law. He contrasted Ukraine's approach with Russia's repeated strikes on Ukrainian civilian areas, citing the recent Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih, where a drone destroyed the city's largest supermarket and a second strike hit rescuers.

At least 16 civilians were killed and over 100 injured, including 23 children, in the attack. Melnyk described Russia's ballistic missile campaign as a "deliberate campaign of terror against Ukraine's population," warning of the speed and destructive force of the missiles, which leave civilians with almost no warning.