Ambassador Holland condemns Russia's appalling actions in Ukraine - including civilians deaths, CRSV and widespread use of torture - as detailed in ODIHR's seventh interim report on reported violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine.
Thank you, Mr Chair. Today I would like to address the issue of civilian casualties from Russia's war in Ukraine.
Firstly, every death in this conflict is a tragedy. These are people, not statistics, and for each life lost, many more are destroyed as a result. We cannot allow the normalisation of such death and destruction here or anywhere else.
Secondly, we must remember that Russia chose to start this war. There was no threat to Russia or Russians or Russian speakers in Ukraine. What Russia feared was Ukraine escaping Moscow's orbit. It feared a prosperous, successful and sovereign Ukraine on its doorstep. The responsibility for the increased risk to Russians, Ukrainians and our collective security sits squarely with Moscow.
But just as President Putin chose to start this war, he could choose to end it. President Trump has called for the senseless killing to stop and proposed an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Ukraine agreed to it. Russia rejected it. Despite Moscow's attempts to obfuscate, these are the facts.
Thirdly, Mr Chair, when it comes to civilian casualties, let us remember that Ukraine permits access to independent organisations who provide impartial reporting and verification of developments on the ground. Many of these, including the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, have requested equal access to Russia. But these requests have been denied. We strongly urge Russia to allow access by independent international bodies who can offer impartial analysis of incidents in the Russian Federation, which would be of benefit to all OSCE participating States.
A timely example of factual reporting from an independent organisation, this week ODIHR published their seventh interim report on reported violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine. The report covers some of the deeply concerning issues that we have raised in this room. For example, ODIHR reported that in the six months to 31 May 2025, the number of verified civilian casualties in Government-controlled areas of Ukraine was over 50% higher than in the corresponding period in 2024.
ODIHR's report also covered the 4 April attack on Kryvyi Rih, which involved a Russian ballistic missile hitting a playground and killing 20 civilians, including nine children. Colleagues will remember that we held a Special Permanent Council on this shocking incident. ODIHR states: "Following analysis of photographs and videos, as well as eye-witness statements and other publicly available evidence, ODIHR has reasonable grounds to believe that, contrary to the Russian Federation's claims, there were no military objectives in the area immediately prior to or at the time of the strike."
There is much more of concern in ODIHR's report, including testimony that conflict-related sexual violence is intensifying and increasingly cruel. And the reconfirmation of ODIHR's previous findings on the widespread and systematic use of torture by the Russian authorities against detained Ukrainian civilians and POWs. We are appalled by these findings and urge the full implementation of the recommendations within the report.
Thank you, Mr Chair.
