CIVILIANS CONTINUE TO PAY THE HIGHEST PRICE OF THIS WAR – DEADLY ATTACK SHAKES ANOTHER COMMUNITY IN THE WAR-RAVAGED DONETSK REGION

As my mission in Ukraine draws to a close, I am outraged to receive, once again, terrible news.

Just a few hours ago, an attack by the Russian Armed Forces struck a populated area in Kostiantynivka Town in the Donetsk Region, killing and injuring dozens of civilians. A market and a post office – frequented by people every day – were severely damaged.

This comes amid escalating hostilities in the Donetsk Region. Selydove, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk and Toretsk are only a few among the many communities torn by years of the war that have endured repeated attacks since early August. Homes, schools and health facilities have been damaged.

Civilians pay the highest price in this war. We must not allow this to be normalized. International humanitarian law must be respected, and civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times.