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UN says civilian toll in Ukraine war exceeds 5,000
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) said on Tuesday (July 12) that more than 5,000 civilians had been killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, adding that the real toll was likely much higher, the Alarabiya English reported, citing Reuters.
OHCHR, which has dozens of human rights monitors in the country, said in its weekly update that 5,024 people had been killed and 6,520 injured.
In another development, the United States Treasury announced Tuesday (July 12) it will send an additional $1.7 billion in economic aid to Ukraine to help continue funding the country’s “essential services.”
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement: “This latest contribution of economic assistance for Ukraine is part of President Biden’s commitment to support the Government of Ukraine as it defends Ukraine’s democracy against Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war.”
Yesterday (July 11), Ukraine's ombudsman Oleh Kotenko says that as many as 7,200 Ukrainian service personnel have gone missing since the start of the Russian invasion.
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He told Ukraine's Suspilne TV channel that the majority of them are in Russian captivity. "Our call centre has information about 7,200 people," said Mr Kotenko, Ukraine's commissioner for missing persons.
He said he hoped that "sooner or later" they would be exchanged for Russian prisoners of war and returned home.
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