United Nations in Ukraine

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Ukraine:

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Press Release

23 February 2026

Updated Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Needs Assessment Released

KYIV, Ukraine, Feb. 23, 2026— Four years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an updated joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA5) released today by the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank Group, the European Commission, and the United Nations currently estimates that as of 31 December 2025, the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine is almost $588 billion (over €500 billion) over the next decade, which is nearly 3 times the estimated nominal GDP of Ukraine for 2025. With the support of development partners, the Government of Ukraine is taking significant steps to meet recovery and reconstruction priorities for 2026, including public investment projects and essential recovery support programs such as funding for destroyed housing, demining, and multisector economic support programs, totaling more than $15 billion. In addition, per the available information collected under the RDNA assessment, at least $20 billion in needs have already been met since February 2022 through urgent repairs and early recovery activities in housing, energy, education, transport, and other essential sectors. “Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, the total cost of Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery is now estimated at nearly $588 billion over the next decade, nearly three times the country’s projected nominal GDP for 2025,” noted Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko. “Amid unprecedented Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and homes across Ukraine this winter, our people show resilience, our entrepreneurs keep working. We still manage to recover fast and develop further. I thank the World Bank, EU, and UN teams for supporting our efforts to stand against the challenges. The assistance helps us urgently repair our critical infrastructure to keep the country running as well as continue systematic recovery activities focusing on energy projects and housing for our people.” The latest update presents an overview of nearly four years of impact, covering 46 months between February 2022 and December 2025. It finds that direct damage in Ukraine has now reached over $195 billion (€166 billion), up from $176 billion (€150 billion) in the RDNA4 of February 2025, with housing, transport, and energy sectors being most affected. Damage, losses, and needs remain concentrated in frontline oblasts and major metropolitan areas. In the energy sector, which has been subject to increased attacks as Ukraine endures a winter of record intensity, there has been an approximately 21 percent increase in damaged or destroyed assets since the RDNA4, including power generation, transmission, distribution infrastructure, and district heating. In the transport sector, needs have increased by around 24 percent since RDNA4 and are the result of intensified attacks on rail and ports during 2025. As of December 31, 2025, 14 percent of housing has been damaged or destroyed, impacting over three million households.“Despite the widespread damage that continues to mount against Ukraine’s people, economy and infrastructure, the entire country continues to press on with remarkable strength and resolve,” said Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations. “The World Bank Group stands firmly committed to supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction and helping to advance the people of Ukraine with jobs, opportunities and hope in a resilient, modern, and competitive economy.”Ukraine’s private sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of unprecedented disruption and will play a critical role in recovery and reconstruction. The RDNA5 underscores that unlocking the full potential of private investment—both domestic and international—will depend on sustained reforms to improve the business environment, strengthen competition, expand access to finance, address labor constraints, and align production with EU green and digital standards. Promoting sustainable and inclusive development and job creation, and integrated approaches to resilient recovery at the local level—such as through the Government’s pilot Comprehensive Restoration program—will also be essential. The RDNA5 findings complement the reform and investment agenda of the Ukraine Facility, grounded in the EU accession process, for the next two years.“Russia’s war of aggression continues to have a devastating impact on Ukraine,” said EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. “The EU will continue to play a key role in supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery by mobilizing more private investments through the Ukraine Investment Framework, and by encouraging key reforms through the Ukraine Plan that will attract investment and bring Ukraine closer to EU membership.”Of the total long-term needs, reconstruction and recovery needs are the highest in the transport sector (over $96 billion (€82 billion)). This is followed by the energy sector (nearly $91 billion (€77 billion)), the housing sector (almost $90 billion (€77 billion)), commerce and industry sector (over $63 billion (€54 billion)), and agriculture sector (over $55 billion (€47 billion)). The cost of explosives hazard management and debris clearance is almost $28 billion (€24 billion), despite some progress in surveying and demining that helped to contain losses in this sector. “People are central to recovery,” said Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. “Ukraine’s most critical asset is its people. Refugee return, veteran reintegration, and women’s labor force participation will shape economic recovery as much as capital flows and rebuilding infrastructure. Recovery must be human-centered and community-based.”The RDNA5 acknowledges the Government of Ukraine’s efforts to build a forward looking, inclusive, and resilient economic model anchored in postwar recovery planning and long-term growth and underscores the pivotal role played by EU accession and reforms under the Ukraine Plan, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group supported programs. The Government’s emerging postwar economic strategy — the Ukraine Economy of the Future (UEF) — focuses on macrofiscal stability, governance and rule of law reforms, private sector dynamism, infrastructure rebuilding, and investments in human capital and social sustainability. These efforts will help to strengthen confidence among citizens, investors, and partners and position Ukraine for accelerated EU convergence and long-term prosperity. Editorial note: All EUR estimates use the Dec 31, 2025, USD/EUR exchange rate.Contacts: In Washington: Amy Stilwell, Sr. External Affairs Officer, World Bank, (202) 294-5321, astilwell@worldbankgroup.org In Kyiv: Victor Zablotskyi, Communications Officer, World Bank, +380 (67) 466-7690, vzablotskyi@worldbank.orgIn Kyiv: Maria Shaposhnikova, Public Information Officer, UN in Ukraine, +38050 4578443, mariia.shaposhnikova@un.org

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Press Release

22 May 2026

UN is helping farmers regain safe access to agricultural land in Khersonska oblast

Thousands of hectares of agricultural land in Khersonska oblast remain uncultivated due to explosive ordnance contamination combined with prolonged drought and the destruction of irrigation systems, preventing farmers from cultivating their land and rebuilding their livelihoods. Taken together, these overlapping crises have reduced agricultural output in the oblast by more than 98 percent since the onset of the full-scale invasion.To help Ukrainian farming communities safely return to agricultural production, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have launched a new joint project, funded through the Ukraine Community Recovery Fund (UCRF). Implemented over 2026–2027, the initiative will cover the Borozenska, Kalynivska, Velykooleksandrivska and Vysokopilska communities of Khersonska oblast, where more than 34 000 hectares of arable land remain uncultivated, and will provide targeted support to 110 small-scale agricultural producers in these communities.“For many rural communities in Khersonska oblast, recovery begins with a safe return to their land,” said Matthias Schmale, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. “When fields cannot be used, families lose income, local economies weaken, and communities remain dependent on support. Through the UCRF, the UN is helping create the conditions for people to work their land again and rebuild their livelihoods.”The project will support the analysis of contaminated agricultural land to identify where clearance is most urgently needed to enable the fastest and most effective recovery of agricultural production. It will also expand the non-technical survey and risk education capacity of the Kherson Regional Municipal and Rescue Service and help ensure that safely released land is quickly returned to productive use.FAO will use geospatial analysis and work closely with national authorities to inform the selection of areas where mine action and agricultural support can have the greatest effect on restoring production. Selected farmers will receive financial support to purchase essential agricultural inputs, including drought-adapted seeds, drip irrigation kits and other materials needed to restart production, complemented by agronomic guidance and dedicated support in applying for the national compensation programmes for humanitarian demining."In Khersonska oblast, warfare contamination and drought have not struck separately – they have compounded each other, leaving farmers with land they cannot safely reach and harvests they cannot afford to lose. By addressing both at once, this project gives farming families a genuine pathway back to production," said Shakhnoza Muminova, Head of the FAO Office in Ukraine.To translate this commitment into action, a call for applications has already been launched through the State Agrarian Registry (SAR), inviting small-scale farmers from the targeted communities to apply for mine action and agricultural support. The call is open to producers whose land has been affected by hostilities and drought, and applications can be submitted until 1 June 2026. This programme is designed to help the most vulnerable agricultural producers, with particular attention given to women farmers and those whose land has remained uncultivated since 2022. Farmers identified through the call will be prioritised for the non-technical survey, which UNOPS will conduct in partnership with the Kherson Regional Municipal and Rescue Service. UNOPS will lead the mine action component of the project, enhancing the operational capacity of the Service through specialised training, mentoring and equipment, while helping ensure that survey data is verified and integrated into national mine action systems. In parallel, an awareness-raising campaign promoting safe behaviour will reach an estimated 40 000 residents across the targeted communities. “In Khersonska oblast, mine action is not only about addressing explosive hazards. It is about restoring safety, confidence and the conditions for communities to recover. Through this joint project, we are helping strengthen the capacities of mine action teams while also supporting communities with the knowledge needed to reduce risks and stay safe. This combination of immediate protection and longer-term institutional capacity is essential for recovery in areas heavily affected by contamination,” said Massimo Diana, Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office for Ukraine and East Europe.Together, these efforts embody the humanitarian-development nexus in practice: mine action that does not stop at land release, and agricultural recovery that does not begin until land is safe. By sequencing survey, risk education and livelihood support within a single integrated framework, the project ensures that humanitarian investment in Khersonska oblast translates directly into development outcomes: restored production, rebuilt rural economies and communities no longer dependent on external assistance.The project is implemented in close coordination with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, the Kherson Oblast Administration and local mine action partners, contributing to national recovery priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2025–2029.

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Publication

13 May 2026

Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict — April 2026

Summary At least 238 civilians were killed and 1,404 injured in Ukraine in April 2026, marking the highest monthly civilian casualty toll since July 2025. This is an 18 per cent increase compared with April 2025 (223 killed; 1,169 injured) and a 13 per cent increase compared with March 2026 (216 killed; 1,242 injured).
Attacks with long-range weapons (missiles and drones) were the primary cause of civilian casualties, accounting for 43 per cent of the total (84 killed; 628 injured), with most casualties occurring in cities and towns far from the frontline. Civilian casualties from long-range weapons increased by 38 per cent compared with March 2026 (61 killed and 456 injured).
At least 54 per cent of all civilian casualties (139 killed; 744 injured) occurred near the frontline as a result of artillery shelling, rocket attacks, drone strikes, and aerial bombardments. Short-range drones killed 80 civilians and injured 481, making this type of weapon the second leading cause of civilian casualties. More civilians were killed and injured by this type of weapon than in any other month since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The vast majority of civilian casualties (96 per cent) occurred in areas under the control of the Government of Ukraine. Civilians were killed or injured across 16 regions of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv.
The highest numbers of killed and injured occurred in Kherson city (26 killed and 201 injured), Dnipro city (23 killed and 115 injured), Nikopol city (16 killed and 93 injured), and Odesa city (15 killed and 80 injured).
In the first four months of 2026, civilian casualties (815 killed; 4,174 injured) were 21 per cent higher than in the same period of 2025 (682 killed; 3,453 injured).
Attacks by Russian armed forces on Ukraine’s energy, railway, and port infrastructure continued to disrupt civilian life and endanger civilians. In April, at least 14 attacks damaged seaport infrastructure in Odesa region, resulting in civilian casualties, and threatening civilian shipping and the delivery of essential supplies.

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Press Release

20 May 2026

Statement by UNHCR Representative on deadly attack on Dnipro, destroying humanitarian aid in UNHCR’s warehouse

I strongly condemn last night’s Russian missile and drone attack on Dnipro, that claimed at least two civilian lives, injured more, and also hit a UNHCR-contracted warehouse, resulting in the destruction of significant amounts of humanitarian aid and shelter materials.I send my deepest condolences to the families of the two warehouse workers who lost their lives in this horrific attack as well as to the families of civilians killed in other attacks across the country in the last 24 hours.The warehouse was struck by a ballistic missile and caught fire. Firefighters are still responding on site, but according to preliminary assessments some 900 pallets of UNHCR aid items – with a value of more than USD 1 million – have been destroyed. These aid items would have supported thousands of forcibly displaced and war-affected people in Dnipropetrovsk and neighboring frontline regions.The destroyed stock includes basic relief items such as blankets, sleeping mats, hygiene kits, which UNHCR and NGO partners distribute to evacuees and other vulnerable people in collective sites and transit sites as well as shelter materials used for emergency response after attacks and more durable repairs of war-damaged homes.UNHCR is in dialogue with authorities, partners and other UN agencies to ensure that we can replenish our needed aid items and locate alternative warehouse space, allowing us to continue our work for the people we are here to help.It is absolutely abhorrent that once again, premises of humanitarian work and aid items are damaged in these relentless air strikes, just as we witness repeatedly how humanitarian workers are being targeted when doing their jobs and delivering aid to those most in need.Civilians and humanitarians are explicitly protected by international law. These attacks must stop.Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, Representative of UNHCR Ukraine

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Story

05 June 2026

‘The true cost of peace’: UN honours fallen peacekeepers as dangers mount

The commemoration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers came hours after another blue helmet serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) died from injuries sustained in a mortar attack, as hostilities continue between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants. The day began with UN Secretary-General António Guterres laying a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial on the Secretariat grounds in New York before presiding over a solemn ceremony in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) attended by senior officials, the diplomatic community, and bereaved family members and colleagues. Service and sacrifice“Unfortunately, as events of this very week remind us, peacekeepers continue to face peril in the cause of peace – and we pay the highest tribute to their service and sacrifice,” he said. The Secretary-General posthumously bestowed the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal on 68 peacekeepers from 33 nations, including 59 who paid the ultimate price last year. Their photos were displayed on a screen and their names read out as country representatives accepted the boxed medals. “They represent the best of humanity – people prepared to risk everything to keep others safe,” he said. Bravery awards Two peacekeepers were rewarded for their bravery, receiving the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage named after a Senegalese military officer killed in Rwanda in 1994. Sergeant Matias Reyes of Uruguay saved lives serving under the UN flag in the restive eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in January 2025. The Ebola outbreak there prevented him from travelling to New York.The other recipient, Sergii Prykhodko of Ukraine - a private contractor with a helicopter crew at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) - sacrificed his life during a dangerous mission to evacuate besieged soldiers in March 2025. “This medal honours his bravery, but it also reminds us of the true cost of peace – the sacrifices made by those who serve far from home for the sake of people they may never meet,” his widow Tetiana Prykhodko told the gathering. Courage amid dangerMore than 50,000 peacekeepers are currently deployed across the globe where their mandated tasks include protecting civilians, supporting elections, delivering humanitarian assistance and clearing landmines. “The courage we recognize this morning is not abstract,” said the head of UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix. “It is lived every day by peacekeepers serving in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult environments.” The peacekeeper killed in southern Lebanon on Thursday, Sergeant Milovan Jovanović of Serbia, was the seventh UNIFIL blue helmet cut down since hostilities escalated in March. Mr. Lacroix said this was his first peacekeeping deployment, having arrived in the country in January, and he would have turned 37 on Saturday. Complex environments, multiple challengesHe highlighted how peacekeepers are working in increasingly complex environments marked by rising geopolitical tensions, fragmented conflicts, disinformation, rapidly evolving technologies and growing pressure on multilateral cooperation. At the same time, peacekeeping operations face serious financial constraints resulting from delayed and incomplete payment of mandatory contributions. The consequences include forced reductions in patrols and air operations, delayed infrastructure projects, and limited support to local communities. Meanwhile, expectations continue to grow. Invest in peace “And yet, peacekeepers continue to deliver,” he said. Mr. Lacroix stressed the importance of continued investment in peace, including “ensuring that peacekeepers have the political backing, resources, training and capabilities required to carry out the mandates entrusted to them by Member States.” Women, peace and advocacyDuring the ceremony, the UN also celebrated two trailblazing women peacekeepers. Major Abhilasha Barak of India, deployed with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), received the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Inspector Stephanie Königs of Germany, who served at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), received the 2025 Woman Police Officer of the Year Award. Friday’s events fell under the annual observation of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May – the day when the first field mission, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in the Middle East (UNTSO), was established in 1948.   Since then, more than two million women and men have served in 71 peacekeeping missions on four continents.

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a photos of Secretary General, woman and a child

Story

05 June 2026

Story of a Kindergarten in Kyiv Region: From Destruction to a Symbol of Community Resilience

Zahaltsi village was occupied for only a few weeks, yet local residents are still recovering from the consequences of that period.Before the war, the local kindergarten was a place filled with children’s laughter and the everyday life of the community. However, from the very first days of the full-scale war, its basement was transformed into a shelter for many village residents.“At the beginning of the war, almost the entire community took shelter in our basement. It was the only large basement in the village, so people came here seeking at least temporary safety. We welcomed everyone, offered tea, and helped them settle in. The kindergarten quickly became a true symbol of resilience for our community,” recalls Liudmyla, the head of the institution. After the occupation began, many residents of Zahaltsi experienced intimidation and looting by Russian military forces firsthand. Those who were unable to evacuate in time were forced to spend days hiding in the basements of their homes.The preschool education institution itself was also affected. For several weeks, Russian military personnel used the kindergarten’s basement as a base, leaving behind damaged furniture, destroyed equipment, and looted premises. Then, on 7 March 2022, the building suffered significant destruction as a result of an airstrike. After the deoccupation of the village, residents gradually began returning home and rebuilding their lives with their own efforts.“People started coming back while mines and abandoned burnt military vehicles were still scattered along the roads. Many had their homes and property destroyed. At that time, I was not yet the director of the institution, but I know that the staff of our preschool made tremendous efforts to clean the territory, cover the shattered windows, and at least partially save the building,” says Ms. Liudmyla.Children from neighbouring communities had always attended the Zahaltsi Preschool Education Institution. Recognizing the importance of ensuring children’s access to safe and quality education, UNOPS decided to repair the institution with funding from the European Union.As part of the School Repairs in Ukraine project, UNOPS carried out a full renovation of the premises and roof. In addition, the institution was provided with sets of essential furniture, helping create comfortable and functional conditions for children’s learning and daily activities. The basement premises were also fully restored and are now used as a safe space during air raids. Gradually, the kindergarten began to fill with life again. Children’s voices can once again be heard in the corridors, and the groups are filled with the daily routine of learning, play, and interaction. For educators, this is not only a restored building but also the return of a sense of stability and the ability to work with children in a safe environment. “Children absolutely need to attend kindergarten, as it is essential both for their development and for their socialization. That is why we are very happy that they can now come to the renovated institution every day and see each other,” says the head of the institution.For the community, this kindergarten has become not only a restored educational space but also a symbol of a return to life — step by step, together with the children who are once again filling it with the future.About the projectThe Schools Repairs in Ukraine project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS, aims to repair educational facilities that have been damaged during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This $30 million initiative is being implemented in the regions of Chernihiv, Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv, focusing on schools requiring light to medium repair work.The primary objective of the project is to provide access to repaired school facilities which will increase the proportion of children receiving face-to-face education. By rehabilitating more than 70 schools, the project will help restore facilities to a safe and welcoming environment where students can continue their education without interruption.

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Story

05 June 2026

Remembering the Kakhovka Dam destruction tragedy through the experiences of those affected

The devastating flooding swept away homes, livelihoods, farmland, and critical infrastructure. It disrupted water supply systems across the region, leaving small cities, towns, and villages without reliable access to safe drinking water. For many families, the consequences still linger, they continue to face displacement, loss, and uncertainty. On this day, the UN in Ukraine stands with the people affected by the tragedy and their families. Through their experience, we want to remind about the human cost of the Kakhovka Dam destruction and the immense burden people continue to bear after three years. Anna "It was shocking how rapidly our village was flooded. Our greatest concern was that the water might displace landmines and transport them into the village. That was the most frightening," shares Anna, who, with her family, managed to escape their home just before the water arrived. The house was damaged: with UNHCR support, her family repaired the walls and floors of their flood-damaged home. Nataliia and her two children “We moved without any money, we had nothing. Sometimes we didn’t know how to buy bread.” Nataliia and her two children fled Bilozerka when their village got flooded after the destruction of the dam. “I brought two bags with me – one with clothes and one with school stuff,” adds 13-year-old Yelizaveta. The family received support from UNICEF to meet basic needs and support education for the younger child with special needs. Mykyta “Yesterday, at around six in the evening, the water began to rise and flooded the ground floors. We stayed in our apartment and waited for rescuers,” says Mykyta, who was evacuated with his grandmother by boat. He also saved his dog, Georgik. “I wouldn’t have left him there alone,” admits Mykyta, who did not take any personal belongings with him, but did not forget his friend. Yevheniia “Everything in the house is now filled with water. But we don’t know how long these supplies will last. The water has already been cut off. And we are afraid that the electricity will also be cut off, because they have warned about that too.We went through this during the intense shelling, when we sat with the children for a month without water or electricity. And it is very hard to go through this again, especially in the summer for the children.” Yevheniia, a mother of five children living in Kherson who survived devastating attacks on how they had to face the consequences of the dam destruction.Olena “There was massive flooding in the village. Many houses close to the river were completely flooded and damaged, and people could not stay there. We were lucky, our house still stands, but we have not had functioning water piping since.” Single mother Olena had returned to Kokhanivka after it came back under Ukrainian control, shortly before the Kakhovka Dam destruction devastated the village. Olena received UNCHR support to repair the damaged house.Vitalii Hlushchenko and the citizens of Pokrov “There was no water at all for almost a month,” recalls Vitalii Hlushchenko, Head of Pokrovvodokanal Municipal Enterprise and resident of the city of Pokrov, Dnipropetrovsk oblast. “We used what remained in the reservoirs. Donors helped by delivering water. We placed large tanks throughout the city and filled them using water trucks. People came with canisters, buckets and bottles.” IOM supported repairs of the water supply system in this and other villages of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Illia and his grandmother “I had a dream of riding my bike to my grandmother’s. She lives in another district, in Kholodna Balka. The water hasn’t reached there yet, but the road has been flooded. The flood ruined my plans. And before that, the war shattered my plans, because during the shelling I was afraid to go outside,” says Illia, in tears.While waiting for the train at UNICEF’s Spilno child-friendly space at the railway station, Illia tearfully remembers his grandmother, who stayed behind in flooded Kherson. Three years on, the United Nations continues to rebuild essential services amid ongoing war, restoring water supply in communities affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. At the same time, the UN is addressing the disaster’s environmental impact through research that highlights long-term risks to health and ecosystems, as well as by identifying solutions that would allow communities to safely use the former reservoir land for agriculture. Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law, and they must stop and never be repeated. The United Nations condemns any attack that affects the civilian population, wherever they occur. We will continue to support people in Ukraine as they rebuild their lives and look toward a more hopeful future.

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28 May 2026

UN warns Ukraine war risks spiralling ‘out of control’

Addressing the Security Council in New York, Mr. Guterres said the latest attacks launched by Russia on 23 and 24 May – and the prospect of additional strikes – underscored “the gravity of this moment.”“The current course is not sustainable,” he said. “This trajectory must change.”He warned that the intensifying conflict risked spiralling “out of control,” citing the dangers of miscalculation and “unknown and unintended consequences.”“What is needed now is de-escalation – immediate and sustained,” the Secretary-General said. “What is needed now is a full and unconditional ceasefire.”Massive attacksRussia launched around 90 long-range missiles and 600 drones during the overnight attacks, killing at least five people and injuring more than 100 across Ukraine, with the heaviest damage reported in the capital Kyiv. Diplomatic premises and compound housing UN agencies were also affected by falling debris, although no UN personnel were injured.Civilian toll risingThe emergency meeting came amid mounting concern over rising civilian casualties and continued attacks on civilian infrastructure.According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, more civilians were killed or injured in Ukraine during the first four months of 2026 than during the same period in 2025. The office verified 815 civilian deaths and 4,174 injuries between January and April.Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, more than 15,000 civilians – including nearly 800 children – have been killed in Ukraine, according to verified UN figures. Return to negotiationsEarlier in the day, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on both sides to return to negotiations.“I strongly urge restraint. Resume negotiations and end the suffering,” he said.Mr. Türk cited several recent attacks causing heavy civilian casualties, including a Russian strike on a residential building in Kyiv earlier this month that reportedly killed 24 civilians.He also referred to a Ukrainian strike on an educational complex in the Russian-occupied city of Starobilsk, which Russian authorities said killed 21 people and injured 44 others.Publicly available information indicated that civilians, including students, were among the casualties, according to OHCHR.‘Time for peace is now’Mr. Guterres reiterated that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law and called for renewed diplomatic efforts to achieve “a just, lasting and comprehensive peace” in line with the UN Charter.“The choice is clear. The responsibility is clear. The time for peace is now,” he said.Source: UN News

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20 May 2026

Ukraine war ‘becoming deadlier by the day’, Security Council hears

“In the last week alone, we witnessed one of the largest aerial bombardments of Ukraine since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion in February 2022,” said Director Kayoko Gotoh of the Political and Peacebuilding Affairs department. Between 13 and 14 May, Russia reportedly launched more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles targeting cities across Ukraine. Civilians face daily attacks The deadliest incident occurred on 14 May when a missile reportedly flattened a nine-story apartment block in the capital, Kyiv, killing 24 people and injuring at least 48 others. “These large-scale attacks have continued daily,” she said, noting that at least 238 civilians were killed, and 1,404 injured, last month alone. “This represents the highest monthly number of civilian casualties recorded since July 2025,” she said. “It also reflects a continuing pattern of rising civilian harm.” “We strongly condemn all attacks against civilian and civilian infrastructure, wherever they occur,” she said. Humanitarians under fire Ms. Gotoh reported that UN personnel were involved in two “alarming drone-related incidents” last week – an issue that was further addressed by a senior official with the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA. Edem Wosornu, Director of OCHA’s Crisis Response Division, said “two separate convoys, clearly marked as being part of the United Nations,” were hit on 12 and 14 May. “These brazen incidents are not isolated. In the same week, other humanitarian missions were hit, injuring humanitarian workers and damaging assets,” she said. Attacks are intensifyingMoreover, three humanitarian workers were killed, and 10 injured, during the first four months of the year. “These attacks are intensifying, making the delivery of humanitarian assistance increasingly difficult, if not impossible in some areas,” said Ms. Wosornu. “Humanitarian workers in Ukraine are taking immense risks to save lives. However, the weapons being deployed - cheap and deadly - are rapidly changing what it means to deliver life-saving assistance.” Despite the dangers, the UN and partners continue to deliver aid where access allows yet needs continue to grow and a $2.3 billion plan for Ukraine has received some $845 million to date. She urged Council members to ensure that international humanitarian law is respected, and to provide timely funding for humanitarian operations. Temporary truce and prisoner exchange Ms. Gotoh noted that amid the rising devastation and loss of life in Ukraine, the UN Secretary-General welcomed the announcement of the three-day ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, from 9-11 May, which was facilitated by the United States. “We are also deeply disturbed by the escalation of attacks by the Russian Federation almost immediately following the expiry of the ceasefire.” The Secretary-General also welcomed announcement of an agreed exchange of prisoners of war. The first step occurred on 15 May with the sides returning 205 prisoners each. Concern for deported Ukrainian children Meanwhile, the UN remains concerned about the fate of children who were deported and forcibly transferred from Ukraine whose “prompt and safe return will require consistent engagement by both sides.” Before concluding her briefing, Ms. Gotoh recalled that a year has passed since direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia resumed. “Although direct talks, which are currently paused, have yet to result in a breakthrough, diplomacy has made it possible for thousands of prisoners of war to return home, and for remains of fallen soldiers to be laid to rest,” she said. “Negotiations should resume without further delays to prevent further escalation and to make meaningful progress towards a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.”

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Press Release

02 June 2026

AS SUMMER BEGINS, CIVILIANS BEAR THE DEVASTATING COST OF WAR

The early days of summer in Ukraine are marked by yet another large-scale massive attack by the Russian Federation Armed Forces on Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv—for the third time over the past three weeks.Several civilians are reported dead, and scores more, including several children, are injured. Homes, hospitals and shops have been destroyed or damaged.Instead of enjoying the start of the school summer break, children and their families spent the night in underground shelters, woken up by air raid sirens, explosions and uncertainty. The war continues to take a devastating toll on civilians and their mental health, as they have no respite, and fear and anxiety build up amid the anticipation of the next attacks across the country.Adhering to international humanitarian law means taking all measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and homes. The Russian Federation's inflammatory rhetoric and escalation of attacks should stop, paving the way for a just peace.

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Press Release

29 May 2026

Denmark and UNOPS facilitate access to safer education in Ukraine’s frontline Mykolaiv region

A formal handover ceremony marking the completion of works took place today at Kalynivka Lyceum, bringing together regional and local authorities, distinguished representatives of the Kingdom of Denmark in Ukraine, UNOPS, Kalynivka Lyceum administration and representatives of the student body.The newly constructed shelter is a dual-purpose civil protection facility designed to protect students and staff during air-raids as well as in other emergencies, including from radioactive contamination. It accommodates up to 175 people simultaneously and is designed for continuous stay for 48 hours. “Over the last few years, Denmark has built dozens of shelters in schools, kindergartens and other public buildings across the region of Mykolaiv. Today in Kalynivka, however, we are opening something special, as this is a fully equipped anti-radiation shelter compliant and fit for both war and peace time. We are very happy to hand over this great piece of engineering to the authorities in Kalynivka. Denmark’s support to Mykolaiv city and region is unwavering”, said Thomas Lund-Sørensen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark to Ukraine. “Opening modern shelters such as this one allows to ensure the safety of children and their return to in-person learning even in frontline areas. We are grateful to our international partners for their systemic support of the Mykolaiv region and for the continued work to ensure that education in the region remains accessible and protected under any circumstances”, said Vitalii Kim, Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Administration.“Every restored school and every newly built shelter in Ukraine is an investment not only in recovery, but in the future of communities affected by the war. Safe access to in-person learning gives children stability, supports their well-being, and helps families regain confidence in everyday life. We are grateful to the Government of Denmark for its continued partnership and commitment to supporting the people of the Mykolaiv region”, said Massimo Diana, Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office for Ukraine and East Europe.The shelter in Kalynivka is part of the broader and ongoing Restoring Communities and Social Infrastructure project implemented by UNOPS in Mykolaiv and the surrounding region with funding from the Government of Denmark. This $17.4 million project aims to improve living conditions and increase access to offline learning for children in Mykolaiv and the surrounding region. It includes repairs of residential neighbourhoods, stabilising a historical school building in downtown Mykolaiv, and constructing underground shelters for schools. The project aligns with Denmark’s Ukraine Transition Programme, the Mykolaiv Development Strategy until 2027 and the Mykolaiv Region Development Strategy until 2027. About UNOPS:UNOPS offers practical solutions across peace and security, humanitarian, and development operations. We help the United Nations, governments, and other partners, such as the European Union and its Member States, to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement across the world. Read more: www.unops.org The UNOPS Ukraine and East Europe Multi-Country Office works with a broad range of partners to provide urgent aid, strengthen resilience, and support sustainable development in Ukraine, Moldova, and Poland. Follow updates: @UNOPS_UEE | Facebook: UNOPS Ukraine and East EuropeFor further information and media inquiries, please contact:Mykhailo Turianytsia, Communications Officer, UNOPS Ukraine and East Europe
Email: mykhailot@unops.org

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Press Release

28 May 2026

Two Peacekeepers to be Honoured with UN Peacekeeping’s Highest Award

NEW YORK, 28 May 2026 - The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will award the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage to the late Sergii Prykhodko of Ukraine and Corporal Matias Reyes of Uruguay during the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers commemorations at UN Headquarters in New York on 5 June 2026. The award was established in 2014 to recognize military, police and civilian personnel who demonstrate exceptional courage in the line of duty. The Medal is named in honor of Captain Mbaye Diagne of Senegal who, in 1994, sacrificed his life in Rwanda while saving countless others. The Medal has only been awarded three times previously. Sergii Prykhodko of Ukraine was a private contractor with a helicopter crew who served in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). In March 2025, Mr. Prykhodko volunteered to take the place of a less experienced colleague during a high-risk air evacuation to extract a group of besieged soldiers in the Upper Nile State. Tragically, Mr. Prykhodko lost his life, and two crewmates were injured when their helicopter came under fire during the mission – which had received assurance of safe passage. His actions and willingness to place himself in front of danger to carry out the mission helped save lives amid escalating violence in the area. His family, including his daughter, is expected to receive the Medal on his behalf.Corporal Matias Reyes of Uruguay was stationed in Goma with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in January 2025 when he he witnessed fierce clashes between the Congolese Armed Forces and the M23 rebels. While helping to secure the entrance of the MONUSCO base, Corporal Reyes repeatedly braved heavy fire and rescued wounded Congolese soldiers who were attempting to seek refuge at the peacekeepers base. Despite the obvious risks, he helped carry 12 gravely wounded soldiers back to the temporary medical tent established by UN peacekeepers, going above and beyond the call of duty and saving these lives in the process. A representative of the Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations is expected to receive the Medal on behalf of Cpl. Reyes, who is still serving under the blue flag in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.In his message marking the day, Secretary-General António Guterres reminded that “no one should die serving the cause of peace. Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law, and Member States must uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times.” Schedule of events at UN Headquarters on 5 June09:45 a.m. (EST): The Secretary-General will lay a wreath in honour of fallen peacekeepers at the Peacekeepers Memorial Site on the North Lawn. (If there is inclement weather, the ceremony will be held near the Chagall window in the Visitors’ Lobby). While UN Photo and UN TV will cover the ceremony, members of the UN press corps are invited. It will not be webcast live, but will be available on demand shortly afterward at the link.10:00 a.m. (EST): The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage, UN Woman Police Officer of the Year and UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year ceremonies will be held in the ECOSOC Council Chamber and shown live on UN Webcast.12:00 p.m. (EST): Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix will be the guest at the noon briefing. It will be webcast live at the link.Media contacts:
Department of Global Communications - Doug Coffman: coffmand@un.org +1 917 361 9923 Department of Peace Operations - Sophie Boudre: boudre@un.org +1 917 691 5359More information on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at the link.

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Press Release

26 May 2026

UN80 Initiative: New report warns status quo is “untenable” as reforms enter decisive phase

Progress Across the InitiativeThe report describes key reforms already underway to strengthen impact, reduce fragmentation and duplication across the UN system, while recognizing that progress is advancing at different speeds.Key developments include:The adoption of General Assembly resolution 80/251, establishing a new basis for mandate discipline and strengthening how UN system mandates are created, implemented and reviewed;Changes to the Secretariat’s operating model, including a 21 per cent reduction in staff positions in 2026, new common administrative platforms and the relocation of about 230 posts from high to lower-cost locations, as part of about 2,300 positions UN system-wide;New delivery models, including integrated supply chains under the New Humanitarian Compact, now being piloted in Afghanistan, Haiti, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Somalia and Sudan, alongside the empowerment of Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators working in crisis settings;A forthcoming peace operations review, expected in June, which will present recommendations to adapt the UN’s toolbox and create a more flexible peace operations architecture fit for today’s challenges;Reconfiguring UN country teams, resetting regional arrangements, and improving access to support for countries via an Expertise-on-Demand Mechanism and Joint Knowledge Hubs to accelerate the delivery of Sustainable Development Goals;The establishment of the Human Rights Group to better coordinate human rights work across the UN system;Work to strengthen shared services, technology and data capacities across the UN system, including a new Unified Services Roadmap for all administrative services, a UN System Data Commons, and Technology Accelerator Platform to better connect these critical enablers of delivery.Other structural proposals, including assessments of potential mergers involving UN system entities.Shared Responsibilities for the Next PhaseMember States will help shape the next phase of the Initiative. “From now on, Member States will craft the key outcomes of UN80,” the Secretary-General writes, noting that many of the proposals will move through established intergovernmental processes in line with the UN Charter, existing mandates and applicable rules and procedures.The Secretary-General sets out six priorities to move the initiative from reform design to delivery. He urged governments to use resolution 80/251 as a practical governance instrument; provide clear direction on country and regional reform; back shared services, technology and data as system-wide enablers; assess structural proposals on their merits, align funding practices with coherent delivery; and exercise governance consistently across the UN system.Inaction, Guterres warns, would be “a mistake and a failure of responsibility,” adding that the political and technical investment made since March 2025 now needs to be taken to its most impactful conclusion.“The opportunities carefully constructed over the past year could slip away and the moment could be lost”, he cautions. “Our shared responsibility is to make sure that does not happen.”Media Contacts: UN80 Secretariat, un80contact@un.org.

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