UN Human Rights Council 57: UK Statement for Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

Thank you, Commissioners, for your update which as ever is all the more shocking and compelling for its sobriety and precision

As you make clear, Russia continues to commit appalling atrocities against the Ukrainian people.

It's indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets have intensified dramatically. August and July saw the highest number of civilian casualties in 2024.

Thousands of deported Ukrainian children remain in Russia. We will not know the exact number or whereabouts of these children until Russia shares this information.

Your update only reinforces the already overwhelming evidence of the systematic and widespread use of torture against Ukrainian detainees, including sexual violence. We have also seen reports of POWs being executed in the most barbaric manner.

Three volunteers from the International Committee of the Red Cross were tragically killed in Donetsk this month.

Soon we will mark two years since Russia's attempted annexation of four oblasts in eastern Ukraine. Those living under