Citing UN humanitarian colleagues, he briefed the media on the regular daily press briefings that the escalated violence in different regions of the war-torn country claimed “several civilian casualties”, including children and journalists.
“The Ukrainian authorities reported more than 50 civilian casualties on December 31 alone,” Mr Haq said.
victims ascend
A hotel, apartment buildings and several educational institutions, including a university, were damaged in the latest attacks on the capital Kyiv.
And on December 31, during hostilities in the Kherson region, two children were injured – one a 13-year-old boy who was being evacuated to Kherson Children’s Hospital, which itself was shelled in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Mr Haq said on appeal to the regional governor.
In addition, intense fighting also continues in eastern Donetsk and the Luhansk region, with civilian casualties and infrastructure damage reported “on both sides of the front line.”
help continues
“Despite continued attacks, together with our humanitarian partners, we continue to provide support to those in need in the hardest-hit communities,” the UN deputy spokesman said.
He went on to outline some of the life-saving assistance being provided by the organization as the fighting rages on.
“On December 28, a multi-agency convoy delivered food, water, blankets, emergency shelter and other supplies from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund) and the World Food Program (WHO) to the frontline towns of Lyman and Svyatohirsk in Donetska Oblast”.
Both communities have faced heavy fighting that has destroyed homes, destroyed vital infrastructure and decimated access to basic services.
“The people who still live in these areas are mainly elderly and mobility-impaired people.”
Dozens of Russian soldiers were reportedly killed
According to news reports, a rocket attack late on New Year’s Eve in occupied eastern Ukraine caused the highest death toll recognized by Russia since its forces invaded on February 24.
Ukrainian military sources reported that up to 400 people were killed or wounded at Makiivka, but there was no independent verification of the casualties.
The Russian Defense Ministry on Monday acknowledged that 63 soldiers were killed in the attack when HIMARS missiles hit and reportedly destroyed the vocational college housing conscripts.
