NEW YORK, Nov 21 (KUNA) -- A United Nations (UN) official cautioned against Russia's growing use of long-range weapons against Kyiv, saying this exposes large swathes of Ukraine.
"While most civilian casualties occur near the frontline, Russia's growing use of long-range weapons is exposing more of the country to danger," Kayoto Gotoh, Europe Director with the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) said in a briefing at the UN Security Council late Thursday.
"Ukrainian civilians have continued to bear the brunt of the Russian Federation's escalating aerial campaign," said Gotoh in her briefing against the backdrop of sustained missile and drone strikes, including a barrage on Wednesday night that killed at least 25 people.
Despite the intensifying violence, Gotoh noted that the UN has supported more than six million people with electricity, heating, water and sanitation services.
Gotoh said the western regions of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk were also struck, warning, "No region of Ukraine is safe." She also highlighted last month's breakthrough by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which secured agreement from both sides to reconnect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to the grid. (end) ast.mt