UN chief condemns deadly Russian strikes on Ukraine

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned a recent Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other parts of the country, killing and injuring civilians.

"The secretary-general strongly condemns the attacks by the Russian Federation on Sept. 7, which killed and injured several people, including children. The attacks struck a government building in central Kyiv and damaged residential and other civilian infrastructure in the capital and other regions of Ukraine," Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

"The targeting of government institutions represents a further escalation of the conflict," Dujarric said.

Stressing that "attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law," the statement noted that "they are unacceptable and must end immediately."

"The secretary-general reiterates his call for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace in Ukraine," the statement said, adding that the peace must "fully uphold Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions."