Security Council warned Civilian deaths in Ukraine surge past last year’s toll

“Ukrainian civilians have continued to bear the brunt of the Russian Federation’s escalating aerial campaign,” said Kayoto Gotoh, Europe Director with the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). She briefed the Council 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, Ms. Gotoh noted that the UN has supported more than six million people with electricity, heating, water and sanitation services. 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.

• On Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, Russian forces struck Kharkiv's main hospital with glide bombs and drones, wounding seven and forcing evacuation of 50 patients as rescue workers fought a fire.
• Since February 2022, Russia's long-range strike campaign has targeted Ukraine's energy facilities to disable power supply and deprive civilians of heat and water, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
• Facing persistent strikes, Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the U.S., Europe and the G7 for air defence systems, noting Ukraine’s size complicates full air protection.
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, is due to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to seek more military aid, with talks expected on sophisticated long-range weapons and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
• Long-Range missiles and drones have strategic effects that may influence negotiations and bilateral tensions, as Zelenskyy said they cause gas shortages in Russia and could deepen U.S.-Russia diplomatic tensions.

• Yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the G20 summit overshadowed by a U.S. boycott; this is his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa.
• Canada's Africa strategy, released under the Trudeau government, aims to shift from aid to trade, but Ottawa allocated no new funds while earmarking $2.3 billion for the Indo-Pacific strategy, and analysts say the plan lacks clear implementation and budget.
• G20 leaders will meet Saturday and Sunday and Carney will hold one-on-one talks with counterparts between sessions, pressing Canada's five summit priorities and joining economic talks on EU engagement with the CPTPP.
• Carney arrived in Johannesburg just after Ottawa cut back support for the Global Fund amid the largest G20 no-shows, including Russia, China, Mexico and Argentina, and a U.S. boycott.
• Observers warn Canada risks falling behind peers like China in advancing interests in Africa, while Global Affairs Canada faces a significant knowledge gap across the continent's 54 countries; Ramaphosa, South African President and G20 chair, aligns summit priorities with Ottawa's themes this year.

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