UNSC countries strongly condemn Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s peaceful cities.

Six countries of the UN Security Council have published a joint statement, joined by Ukraine, strongly condemning Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, including on a shopping mall in Kremenchuk, and voiced support for the Ukrainian people.

The document was published by the United States Permanent Mission to the UN.

Today the Security Council convenes under the agenda item Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine an urgent meeting to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine following the most recent strikes on civilians by Russian forces in Kremenchuk.

“We, members of the Security Council namely France, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom, United States, and Albania, joined by Ukraine, reiterate our full support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” the statement reads.

Read also: President Zelensky calls on UN to deprive Russia of its powers in General Assembly for violating the

They “strongly condemn the intensification of Russian missile strikes on the territory of Ukraine, targeting residential areas and civilian infrastructure, over the period of 25-27 June 2022.”

“We condemn in the strongest terms the killing of civilians as a result of these missile attacks, in particular the attack that hit a crowded shopping center in Kremenchuk, Poltava region of Ukraine. This strike was a blatant attack on civilian infrastructure and civilian population,” the statement stresses.

The countries decried these acts as violations of international humanitarian law and reiterated their call to strictly abide by the Geneva Convention of 1949.

“We demand an immediate cessation of the hostilities by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, of all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the full and immediate withdrawal of the Russian forces and military equipment from within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and territorial waters,” the statement reads.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the UN Security Council held an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday to support peace and security in Ukraine.