UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has issued a strong warning over the escalating hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, calling for urgent restraint from both sides as civilian casualties continue to rise sharply amid intensified fighting and renewed threats of further escalation.

Volker Türk urged both Moscow and Kyiv to return to the negotiating table and prioritize the protection of civilians, stressing that the continued deterioration of the conflict is deepening human suffering across the region.

His remarks come at a time when the war has entered a more volatile phase, with large-scale strikes and counterstrikes causing significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure across Ukraine and parts of Russia.

According to figures released by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, civilian casualties in Ukraine during the first four months of 2026 have increased by 21 per cent compared to the same period in 2025. A total of 815 civilians were killed, and 4,174 were injured in 2026, compared with 682 killed and 3,453 injured in 2025.

UN noted that the vast majority of casualties occurred in areas under Ukrainian control.

The findings underline a troubling trend of intensifying violence, particularly in urban and densely populated areas where civilian exposure to military operations remains high.

One of the most devastating recent incidents occurred in Kyiv on 13–14 May, when a multi-storey residential building was struck during a large-scale Russian attack. The strike killed 24 civilians and left dozens more injured, marking one of the deadliest single incidents in the capital in recent months.

United Nations Human Rights Office reiterated that international humanitarian law places strict obligations on all parties in conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

“International humanitarian law demands that parties to a conflict take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm – these are not simply suggestions or recommendations, but binding obligations carrying legal responsibility for those involved.”
Volker Türk

The escalation is not limited to Ukraine alone. UN also highlighted a significant attack carried out by Ukrainian armed forces on an educational complex in occupied Starobilsk on 21–22 May.

According to Russian authorities, the strike resulted in 21 deaths and 44 injuries.

Following a detailed review of publicly available information, the UN Human Rights Office concluded that the educational facility was operational at the time of the attack and that civilians, including students, were present. Among the reported fatalities, 18 were women, underscoring the heavy civilian impact of the strike.

The UN stressed that such incidents highlight the widening geographic and human cost of the conflict, which is increasingly affecting civilians on both sides of the front line.

Calls for Accountability Grow as UN Flags Ukraine War Crisis

Moreover, the UN Human Rights Chief, VolkerTürk also warned that rhetoric from Russian officials following recent attacks has further raised tensions.

He noted that public threats to expand strikes on Kyiv risk exacerbating an already fragile and dangerous security situation.

“And as if all these casualty figures weren’t horrifying enough on their own, following these attacks, Russian officials have publicly threatened to increase attacks across Kyiv,”
Volker Türk

The UN Human Rights Chief further condemned attacks by Ukrainian forces inside Russian territory, noting that civilian casualties have also been reported there. He stressed that all parties must ensure strict compliance with international humanitarian law, regardless of location or military objectives.

“I deplore the recent loss of civilian lives and injuries to civilians. I call on Russian and Ukrainian authorities to conduct prompt, independent, and effective investigations and hold those responsible accountable. They must do their utmost to prevent similar incidents from happening again.”
Volker Türk

He also expressed concern over reported attacks on humanitarian personnel and aid infrastructure, warning that such actions undermine life-saving operations in conflict zones where access to vulnerable populations is already limited.

The latest UN warning reflects growing international concern that the war is entering a more dangerous and unpredictable phase, with rising civilian casualties, expanded strike zones, and increasing threats of escalation on both sides.

As diplomatic attempts remain stuck, Türk’s plea adds to growing worldwide pressure for new talks and stricter respect for wartime regulations. The UN has repeatedly cautioned that continued escalation risks further destabilising the region and exacerbating what is already one of the world’s most destructive ongoing conflicts.