Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 26th Jan. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo on Thursday said that the UN “is not in a position” to verify reports surrounding the crash of a Russian aircraft near the border with Ukraine.
She called on the warring sides to avoid fuelling “the already dangerous conflict.”
“We understand both Russia and Ukraine are conducting separate investigations into the incident, and Kyiv has called for an international probe,” Rosemary DiCarlo,.
Russia said that there were no survivors from Monday’s crash in the Belgorod region close to the Ukrainian border and stated that 74 people had been on board the military transport plane, 65 of whom were captured Ukrainian soldiers who were part of a prisoner of war swap.
According to media news reports Moscow claimed that the plane was hit by a Ukrainian missile.
Ukraine has said it was not told to ensure the safety of airspace, as on previous occasions when POWs have been exchanged.
President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia in a post on social platform X of “playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war.”
He called for “all the facts to be established” and insisted on an international inquiry.
Ms. DiCarlo said that “what is clear is that the incident took place in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ongoing war.”
“To avoid further escalation, we urge all concerned to refrain from actions, rhetoric, or allegations that could further fuel the already dangerous conflict.”
According to the UN human rights office 10,312 civilians have been killed and a further 19,530 injured since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Ms. DiCarlo added “These figures continue to rapidly rise,”
She noted casualties resulted from recent strikes.
“The Secretary-General has been unambiguous in condemning all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, wherever they occur. They are prohibited under international law and must stop immediately,” she said.
She highlighted deep concerns for POWs on all sides, and their families.
“The recent incident in the Belgorod region, with its claimed link to a planned prisoner exchange, reminds us of the plight of prisoners of war,” she said.
“Notwithstanding the circumstances of yesterday’s incident, the fate of POWs should not be instrumentalized. We urge the parties to continue pursuing exchanges of prisoners of war,” she added.
Ms. DiCarlo, said that the war in Ukraine “is a war of choice”.
“It’s tragic consequences are clear for all to see. The longer it lasts, the more death and destruction it causes and the more it eats away at the norms agreed to ensure and maintain a peaceful and secure world,” she added.
