The Ukrainian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Andrii Melnyk, stated that drone strikes targeting Russian territory are a direct response to ongoing aggression from Moscow against Ukraine.
Melnyk’s comments followed a complaint from Russian envoy Vasily Nebenzya regarding a significant drone attack on Moscow on May 17. In his remarks, Melnyk emphasized that the suffering experienced by Russian civilians is a consequence of actions initiated by President Vladimir Putin against Ukraine.
“Stop lamenting the suffering of the poor Russians. What Russia is witnessing is a boomerang launched by Putin against Ukraine. It is returning with triple force and strikes very painfully,”
Melnyk asserted, underscoring that Ukraine does not target civilian infrastructure. He stated, “We never aim at civilians. We only destroy military facilities in full accordance with International Humanitarian Law and its provisions.”
Additionally, Melnyk urged United Nations member states to intensify sanctions against Russia and to halt the supply of Western components for Russian missiles.
In response to a Russian shelling incident on May 14, which resulted in the deaths of 24 individuals in Kyiv, Ukraine called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
On the night of May 17, Russia experienced one of the largest drone attacks in recent times, with primary targets including Moscow and the surrounding region.
Ukrainian officials have clarified that recent drone strikes on Russian territory are retaliatory measures against Moscow's aggression. The Ukrainian envoy to the UN emphasized adherence to international law in military operations and called for increased sanctions against Russia.