UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday called for an independent investigation into the killing of civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha, a suburb of the capital, Kyiv.
Scores of bodies have been found in streets and in yards in the wake of Russian withdrawal from the area following weeks of intense fighting, according to international media reports.
“I am deeply shocked by the images of civilians killed in Bucha, Ukraine,” said Mr. Guterres in a tersely worded statement issued by his spokesperson.
“It is essential that an independent investigation leads to effective accountability.”
The UN continues to press for an end to the war in Ukraine, which the Secretary-General has described as “unwinnable”.
Latest casualty numbers
Conflict began on 24 February, when Russia invaded the country. Since then, 3,455 civilian casualties have been recorded, according to the latest update from the UN human rights office, OHCHR, published on Sunday.
Of that number, 1,417 persons were killed, and 2,038 injured, though real figures are believed to be considerably higher.
Most casualties were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes.
Humanitarian access critical
Posting on Twitter on Friday, Mr. Guterres said the UN “is doing everything in its power to support people whose lives have been overturned by the war in Ukraine.”
Humanitarians have reached more than 1.4 million people, mainly in the east, “but this is not enough” he said. “We need safe, unimpeded access to all areas.”
The fighting has displaced more than 10 million people, both within the country outside its borders as refugees.
“The speed of the displacement, coupled with the huge numbers of people affected, is unprecedented in Europe in recent memory,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, on concluding a visit there last week.
To respond to the rising humanitarian needs, the UN and partners launched a $1.7 billion emergency appeal last month to support people in Ukraine and those who have fled abroad.
More than 4.1 million have found shelter in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova, and beyond.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold its latest meeting on Ukraine on Tuesday.
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