Zelenskyy Addresses UN Security Council over Civilian Deaths in Bucha

The UN Security Council met Tuesday and heard from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as it discusses allegations that Russia deliberately targeted civilians in the town of Bucha outside the capital Kyiv.

The apparent deaths of unarmed civilians left on the streets following the Russian military's withdrawal from Bucha sparked global outrage and condemnation as Russian government attempts to deny the widely and independently documented apparent atrocities.

"Yesterday I returned from Bucha," Zelenskyy said during his address. "There is not a single crime they would commit there."

"They killed entire families, adults and children, and they tried to burn the bodies," Zelenskyy added.

What did UN officials say?

Zelenskyy's virtual address was proceeded by briefings from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and several top aides including UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths who met senior Russian government officials in Moscow on Monday and heads to Ukraine shortly.

Guterres said in his opening remarks the war involved the invasion of one UN member state by another and had led to global instability especially impacting the developing world as both Russia and Ukraine are major suppliers of food, fuel and fertilizers.

"The war in Ukraine must stop now," Guterres said.

He added Russia's invasion of Ukraine presents one of the greatest challenges ever to the global order "because of its nature, intensity, and consequences" of the war.

Griffiths said, "Ukrainian civilians are paying far too high a price for this war."

On Monday, the UK, which holds the UN Security Council presidency this month, announced Zelenskyy's appearance Tuesday to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The apparent deaths of unarmed civilians left on the streets following the Russian military's withdrawal from Bucha sparked global outrage and condemnation as Russian government attempts to deny the widely and independently documented apparent atrocities.

"Yesterday I returned from Bucha," Zelenskyy said during his address. "There is not a single crime they would commit there."

"They killed entire families, adults and children, and they tried to burn the bodies," Zelenskyy added.

What did UN officials say?

The UN Security Council remains paralyzed by inaction over Ukraine. Russia maintains a permanent seat.

On Monday, the US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she would introduce a resolution to the 193-member General Assembly to block Russia's role on the UN Human Rights Council.