UN rights office raises concern after Russia's overnight attacks on Kyiv, Odesa

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The UN Human Rights Office on Tuesday expressed concern over Russia’s latest large-scale overnight strikes on Ukrainian cities, which left several civilians dead and injured and caused power outages after energy infrastructures were targeted.

Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said in a statement that the strikes followed last week's deadly attack in Ternopil and continued bombardment of urban areas and frontline communities.

"Russia carried out further large-scale attacks overnight using missiles and loitering munitions, primarily targeting energy infrastructure in Kyiv City, Odesa and Kyiv region. Preliminary information indicates that at least seven people were killed and 28 injured, including four children, across Kyiv City, Odesa and Kyiv region," he said, adding that the attacks also caused emergency power and heating outages in several areas.

Al-Kheetan noted that Ukraine also conducted long-range drone strikes into Russia's Krasnodar and Rostov regions, "reportedly resulting in killed and injured civilians."

"Our team in Ukraine is visiting the sites in Kyiv and Odesa and should be able to share more information in the coming days," he said.

He reiterated UN human rights chief Volker Turk's longstanding position that "civilians and civilian infrastructure are clearly protected under the laws of war."