THE Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “removes” humanity, which is threatened by climate change, from the battle “for her survival”UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned today.

“At a time when humanity is faced with overwhelming existential challenges, this destructive war distracts us from the goal of building solutions to ensure our survival.” Turk concluded in a speech before the Human Rights Council, in which he also denounced the fact that human rights violations have become “scandalously routine” in this conflict, which was started by Russia.

“This war defies all logic. This madness must stop and peace must be made, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.” Turk stated.

Everywhere in Ukraine “people are suffering and facing massive losses, deprivations, displacements and disasters”, reminded the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Turk also underlined the persistent and profound consequences of the conflict for the rest of the world, even for countries not involved in any way in the conflict.

The war, declared by Moscow in February 2022, has further aggravated the food crisis that was already affecting dozens of countries in the world, causing food and energy prices to rise. According to Turk, it pushed 71 million people into poverty and affects 1.6 billion others.

Turkish agencies – which use an extremely strict methodology to compile their casualty counts – have counted “8,400 dead civilians and more than 14,000 wounded civilians” since February 24, 2022, the date the Russian offensive began.

“These numbers are only the tip of the iceberg,” Turk admitted, as the actual toll is much higher. Underline how “most of the casualties are due to Russian forces using high-powered explosive weapons inside residential areas.”

He summarized before the Council a report prepared by the UN mission to monitor human rights in Ukraine and the conclusions of which were presented on March 25 in Kyiv by the head of the mission Matilda Bogner.

The report accused Russian and Ukrainian forces of carrying out summary executions of prisoners of war during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Kiev had characterized it as unacceptable at the time “equalizing the victim and the aggressor”.

More than 400 prisoners of war from both sides answered questions from the committee, Turk explained today.