Govt investigates reports of citizens fighting for Russia in Ukraine

The United Kingdom has informed the United Nations General Assembly that Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory and attempts to annex it have not altered Ukraine's sovereignty or borders. UK Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, emphasized during the UN General Assembly meeting on Ukraine in New York on Tuesday that Russia's continued military actions are in violation of the UN Charter and Ukraine's territorial integrity.

She stated that the invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing for 1,651 days, marking the twelfth anniversary of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. MacIntosh highlighted the escalation of Russian attacks, with over 429 missiles launched into Ukraine in July alone, more than double the previous month. The ambassador also shared alarming statistics, revealing that almost 17,000 Ukrainian civilians, including 820 children, have been killed since February 2022, and over 51,000 civilians, including 3,000 children, have been injured.

MacIntosh pointed out the impact of the war on global food supplies, stating that Ukraine had been a significant exporter of corn, wheat, and sunflower oil before Russia's 2022 invasion. She accused Russia of violating fundamental international principles by launching attacks on Ukraine's ports and civilian shipping, which have further blocked vital food supplies, driven up global food prices, and killed UN Member State seafarers from various regions.

MacIntosh listed the territories invaded by Russia, including Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, and accused Moscow of using violence to consolidate its control, citing the separation of families, forced deportation, and indoctrination of children. She also mentioned the forcible issuance of Russian passports, arbitrary detention, and the disappearance of Ukrainian civic leaders, as well as torture and ill-treatment.

MacIntosh emphasized that these actions do not change Ukraine's sovereignty or rewrite its borders. The UK called on all UN member states to defend the UN Charter and reject Russia's territorial claims, urging Russia to allow humanitarian access and support accountability while helping to reunite Ukraine's children and release its civilians.

The UK reaffirmed its support for Ukraine's right to defend itself under international law and called for an immediate end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace.