Russia’s justifications for its war do not withstand scrutiny: UK statement to the OSCE
What was announced
The UK challenged Russia’s shifting justifications for its war of aggression against Ukraine, calling on Russia to explain how its use of force and attempts to alter Ukraine’s borders are compatible with the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.
Key points, in the publisher's words
- Earlier this month, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that Russian attacks killed at least 328 civilians and injured more than 2,100 in September. That is 85 per cent higher than last September.
- In Kyiv, civilians were killed or injured on 22 of the month’s 30 days, more often than in any month since the full-scale invasion began. Preliminary reports indicate that civilian deaths in October will match or exceed the already grim levels seen in September. This is in large part due to the near-record levels of Ballistic missiles fired into Ukrainian cities, with a reported 110 fired between 13-28 October.
- In its report of 26 October, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concluded that the Russian authorities have committed war crimes in intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects.
Figures in this announcement
Each line is quoted from the original. Figures are as the publisher stated them on the day.
- “Earlier this month, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that Russian attacks killed at least 328 civilians and injured more than 2,100 in September.”
- “That is 85 per cent higher than last September.”
Who and where
UK bodies of power
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK government department) · more news
Global and regional bodies
- United Nations (Level 8 of 10) · more news
Countries
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
- Level 8: The UN and global treaty bodies · news at this level
- Level 6: National government · news at this level
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Foreign affairs.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/russias-justifications-for-its-war-do-not-withstand-scrutiny-uk-statement-to-the-osce
- Published 2026-10-29 13:21:38 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-10-29 13:30:11 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 4362, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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