According to the UN mission, the overnight assault from Saturday into Sunday – one of the largest of its kind since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 – resulted in civilian casualties and damage to homes and infrastructure across 10 regions of Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv.
At least three children were among those killed and nine children were reported injured. The mission is currently working to verify the full extent of the casualties and the broader impact of the attack.
“With at least 78 people reported killed or injured across the country, last night’s attack tragically demonstrates the persistent deadly risk to civilians of using powerful weapons in urban areas, including those far away from the frontline,” Danielle Bell, HRMMU Head, said in a news release on Sunday.
“It is yet another addition to the staggering human toll this war continues to inflict on civilians, with more families across the country now grieving their losses.”
No place is safe
Matthias Schmale, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, also voiced deep concern over the civilian suffering.
“I am horrified that yet again civilians – among them children – were killed in last night’s massive attacks,” he said in a statement posted on the social media platform X.
“Across Ukraine, no place is safe. Homes and civilian infrastructure were hit. Grateful to humanitarian NGOs and state services who are immediately supporting affected people. Civilians must never be a target.”
Use of long-range weapons
Ukrainian authorities reported that the Russian armed forces launched at least 367 missiles and loitering munitions during the night, in a coordinated attack with air, sea and land-based systems.
The strike followed a similar assault the previous night, which had mainly targeted the Kyiv region.
HRMMU noted that the use of long-range weapons in urban areas has been a major driver of civilian casualties in March and April. While the number of casualties in May had been somewhat lower than April before the latest attack, the toll from this weekend’s strikes will add to the monthly figures.
Introduced by the United States and supported by 11 other Council members, the resolution extended the mandate of UNMISS until 30 April next year.
This action follows a short nine-day “technical rollover” approved by the Council on 30 April to allow more time for negotiations.
Through the text – adopted on Thursday – the Security Councilauthorized the peacekeeping mission to “use all necessary means” to implement its mandate – including the protection of civilians, assisting aid delivery, supporting implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, and investigating violations of international law.
Three nations – China, Pakistan, and Russia – abstained.
Volatile situation on the ground
The renewal comes amid an increasingly volatile political and security situation in South Sudan.
Head of UNMISS Nicholas Haysom warned ambassadors in April that the fragile 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement – signed by historic rivals President Salva Kiir and former First Vice President Riek Machar – is unravelling.
The political standoff, including the arrest of Mr. Machar, has reportedly escalated into open military confrontation, while misinformation and hate speech are fuelling ethnic divisions and instability.
“This situation is darkly reminiscent of the conflicts of 2013 and 2016, which cost over 400,000 lives,” Mr. Haysom said.
UNMISS mandate
The resolution maintains the mission’s overall force ceilings at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 justice and corrections advisors.
The Council also expressed its readiness to consider adjusting force levels and capacity-building based on future conditions.
The resolution expressed “deep concern” over delays in implementing the 2018 agreement, urging South Sudan’s leaders to urgently show political will and build mutual trust. It urged the parties to engage in open and constructive dialogue.
It also stressed that the “organization and funding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of the South Sudanese authorities”, calling on the transitional government to adopt an appropriate legislative framework to fund national elections.
The resolution also condemned the use of sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers and interference in any humanitarian operations.
Speaking before the adoption, US Acting Representative Dorothy Shea called on the international community to bring South Sudan “back from the brink.”
She cited deteriorating conditions on the ground, including recent attacks against civilians and infrastructure. She also noted ongoing challenges facing UNMISS – including being asked to vacate its Tomping base – which undermine the mission’s ability to carry out its mandate.
“In short, as I hope we can all agree, the goal of UNMISS should be to render itself unnecessary by ushering in a lasting peace. The day that a peacekeeping operation is no longer required in South Sudan will be a bright one,” Ambassador Shea said.
She added that UN peacekeeping mandates, including UNMISS, “should not pursue ideological goals that are difficult to define and even more challenging to implement on the ground, but rather focus on core Chapter VII functions,” referring to the Chapter of the UN Charter stressing action to further international peace and security.
Unnecessarily politicised: Pakistan
Pakistan, which abstained from the resolution alongside China and Russia, explained its position.
Deputy Permanent Representative Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon said UN Peacekeeping Missons should enjoy “complete and unified support” of the Security Council.
“However, this task is complicated when mandate resolutions are unnecessarily politicised,” he said, stating that mission mandates “must be tailored to the needs on the ground, not the political priorities of Council members.”
The resolution contained issues “which have no direct link” with UNMISS, preventing consensus among the 15 Council member States, he added.
That said, Mr. Jadoon reiterated his country’s full support for UNMISS and its leadership.
“UNMISS remains a force of stability in South Sudan. We greatly appreciate the dedication of its personnel and peacekeepers, who are performing their duties under difficult conditions.”
