UN Security Council convenes emergency meeting at Ukraine's request over Russian strikes

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the evening of June 20 at Ukraine's initiative. The reason was massive Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital, which caused numerous civilian casualties and extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha thanked Guyana’s presidency and other countries for supporting the request.

Kyiv expects the Security Council members to deliver a clear assessment of Russia’s actions and calls for increased pressure. Ukraine demands additional air defense systems and political determination in response to the escalating violence.

It has been 100 days since Kyiv agreed to the US-proposed ceasefire, yet Moscow, according to Sybiha, continues to reject peace and deliberately targets civilian facilities.

He wrote on social network X that Russian aggression threatens not only Europe but also global security, citing cooperation between Moscow, Tehran, and Pyongyang.

As a reminder, on the night of June 19, Russia launched 440 drones and 32 missiles across Ukraine. Kyiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and five other regions came under fire. In Kyiv’s Solomianskyi district, a ballistic missile destroyed the entrance of a nine-story residential building.

Earlier, Andrii Sybiha also reported that the Russian General Staff has started forming strategic reserves, which may indicate plans to expand hostilities beyond Ukraine.

Kyiv has already shared this intelligence with partners and is calling for immediate sanctions, stressing that “Putin only understands strength.”

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Nighttime strikes across Ukrainian regions cause casualties and destruction

Russia's overnight attack reached western regions as well. Damage, injuries and civilian deaths were reported in Lviv and Chernivtsi.

Germany’s intelligence chief (BND) Bruno Kahl also warned that Moscow might test NATO’s defense readiness.