United Nations warns war in Ukraine has entered a 'dangerous phase' as attacks intensify

The United Nations told a council briefing that the war in Ukraine is deadlier now than at any point since the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion in 2022 and warned that the conflict has entered a "dangerous phase" as long-range missile and drone strikes intensify.

The presenter said on the record that a major bombardment on 1 June destroyed homes, medical facilities and energy infrastructure and heavily hit Kyiv. "The Russian Federation launched one of its biggest missile and drone bombardments across Ukraine, destroying homes, medical facilities, energy infrastructure, and other critical civilian objects," the presenter said.

Why it matters: the briefing combined three strands of concern — rising civilian casualties, threats to nuclear and power infrastructure, and broader regional escalation — that the United Nations said increase the risk of even wider harm if fighting continues.

The presenter cited local-authority reports that the 1 June attack on Kyiv killed seven people and injured 89, and that more than 41,000 residents sought shelter overnight in underground metro stations. Missile strikes in Dnipro were reported to have killed 16 people and injured 42, and two children, aged two and eight, were among those killed, the presenter said. Civilian casualties and extensive damage were also reported in Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia and Chernihiv regions.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the presenter said, has verified 15,850 civilian deaths in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, including 791 children, and 44,809 injuries, including 2,752 children, while cautioning the actual figures are likely significantly higher.

"The United Nations strongly condemns all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, wherever they occur," the presenter said, adding that such attacks are prohibited under international law and must stop immediately.

The briefing also flagged risks to nuclear safety after the presenter said the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant, which supplies electricity to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, came under heavy attack on 4 June and that the plant's sole remaining power line has been disconnected and reconnected several times in recent weeks. On 5 June a six-hour local ceasefire took effect to allow maintenance and repairs, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues efforts "to safeguard to safe and to secure operation of the plant," the presenter said.

The presenter welcomed a prisoner exchange on 5 June in which 185 prisoners from each side were released, including one Ukrainian civilian, and commended the United Arab Emirates for facilitating the exchange. The presenter also urged "further steps toward the immediate return of all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children," saying such measures must be pursued in the best interest of the child and family unity.

Referencing remarks the Secretary-General made to the council on 28 May, the presenter said the Secretary-General warned that the war was entering a new, dangerous phase and reiterated an urgent appeal for immediate de-escalation. "I reiterate the Secretary-General's call for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire," the presenter said, and called for diplomacy consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and relevant UN resolutions.

The United Nations said it remains committed to supporting efforts toward a just, lasting and comprehensive peace and urged the parties to return to diplomacy. The briefing closed with a reaffirmation of that commitment and a call to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure as hostilities continue.