Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Briefing on Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine
New York, 28 May 2026
Thank you, Mr. President,
I thank the Secretary General for his presence and his introduction and ASG Khiari for his factual briefings.
Today the council meets again to condemn a new level of atrocities. Another violation of international law by the Russian Federation. Worse every time.
On 23-24 May, Russia launched the largest ever combined missile attack against Kyiv.
In this massive assault, Russia attacked Ukrainian civilians with over 90 missiles, including 36 ballistic weapons – one of them Oreshnyk, a nuclear capable hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile - and 600 attack drones. Russia’s barbaric, indiscriminate strikes killed at least four people and injured more than 100 others.
Russia deliberately and knowingly wages a war against civilians.
According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, from January to April 2026 alone, Russia killed at least 815 civilians and injured 4,174.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, this council has held more than 100 meetings on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. To date, more than 213 200 potential war crimes have been registered – from unlawful deportations, executions to systemic and widespread torture and conflict related sexual violence.
As a matter of example, last year in Kherson region alone, drone attacks caused around 2200 civilian casualties.
Mr President,
Amongst the “so called military targets” last weekend were also over 350 residential buildings, the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the residence of the Ambassador of Albania, a building housing several UN agencies, a number of cultural and historic sites, including the National Philharmonic, the Dynamo Football stadium, and the Chernobyl Museum.
That museum, just opened after renovation, is dedicated to preserving the historical memory of the biggest tragedy caused by Soviet Union’s utter disregard for human life. This is the same disregard for human life that Russia demonstrates today. Even if the museum building is gone, the memory of those crimes then, as well as the atrocities committed by Russia now – will not be forgotten.
To add to this list, just yesterday a children’s playground in Kherson region was attacked - killing the father, injuring the mother and her three- and six-year-old daughters. The mother is in critical condition in the hospital. She has two more children, who luckily were not at the playground that day.
Which one of these atrocities qualifies as a legitimate military target?
Mr President,
Russia continues to attack the UN system and UN personnel not only rhetorically, but literally.
While the world has been calling for a ceasefire, Russia has rejected at least seven peace or ceasefire proposals last year alone.
Still, Latvia continues to call for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire.
Russia cannot win this war on the battlefield. In 2026 it is more visible than ever – no territorial gains, even increasing reports on net losses, staggering rate of military casualties and equipment destroyed.
Its model of war is going nowhere.
Russia has turned itself into the ultimate architect of its own economic, intellectual and societal decline. It has decided to escalate its long-standing narrative of victimhood, lies and conspiracies.
Unable to win this war, Russia takes the path of threats and intimidation. And it is a path of self destruction.
Most recently, Russia has issued another threat on 25 May calling on foreign citizens, including the personnel of diplomatic missions, to leave Kyiv due to plans to carry out more strikes. Russia's threats will not intimidate us. We are not leaving Kyiv. Our diplomats will continue their work. It is Russia that must leave the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine.
Mr President,
Ukraine will survive, Ukraine will overcome, and Ukraine will thrive, despite Russia’s aggression. Ukrainian innovation and technology are cutting-edge, Ukraine’s economy is resilient, and the strength and will of the Ukrainian people is unbreakable.
Let me give you one more vivid example – over the weekend, a newly opened coffee shop in Kyiv was damaged by Russia’s strikes. Just newly opened. But the coffee machine still worked. So, the owners cleared the rubble and customers lined up for morning coffee. This is the Ukrainian spirit. The spirit of courage. The spirit of freedom. The spirit of not giving up. No matter how tired they are.
Russia’s intimidation, including threats of the use of force, will not weaken our resolve. We continue to stand united with Ukraine against the illegal aggression.
It is time to accept, that the Russian empire is in the past and nothing will bring it back.
I thank you.