STATEMENT BY THE DELEGATION OF UKRAINE ON RUSSIA’S WAR OF AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINE 1122 nd FSC Plenary Meeting (19 November 2025) Agenda Item 1, General Statements Mr Chairperson, I would like to deliver a statement on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Over the past week, Russia has continued its campaign of terror against Ukraine’s civilian population and critical infrastructure, once again demonstrating a blatant disregard for international law and for the principles enshrined in the OSCE’s foundational documents. During this period alone, this terrorist state launched 1,718 strike UAVs – “Geran” and “Gerbera” – and 70 missiles, of which 25 were ballistic, targeting peaceful Ukrainian cities. Each of these attacks was marked by brutality and contempt for human life. In particular: –On 14 November, Russia carried out a massive attack involving at least 430 drones and 19 missiles, including 13 ballistic missiles, targeting civilian areas in Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, 9 out of 10 districts of Kyiv were hit. Just imagine – the attack targeted the entire city. In the eyes of the occupier, the whole of Kyiv is a “military target” and its population – legitimate prey. This assault killed at least eight people, six of them in Kyiv, and injured dozens more. Apartment buildings were shattered, families torn apart, innocent lives extinguished in yet another act of barbarism. The attack also damaged the premises of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Kyiv – already the fourth foreign diplomatic mission The OSCE Secretariat bears no responsibility for the content of this document and circulates it without altering its content. The distribution by OSCE Conference Services of this document is without prejudice to OSCE decisions, as set out in documents agreed by OSCE participating States. FSC.DEL/363/25 19 November 2025 ENGLISH only
2 hit by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion. These are consistent campaign of terror; – On 15 November, Russia launched another cynical attack involving 135 UAVs and three “Kinzhal” missiles. Ukrainian Defence Forces intercepted 91 UAVs and two “Kinzhals”. During the same attack, Russia destroyed the warehouse of one of Ukraine’s largest pharmaceutical distributors – “Optima-Pharm”, which supplies medicines to southern regions of Ukraine. This was the third targeted strike on this company’s warehouses in 2025 alone. Such systematic attacks clearly pursue a single goal – to break the resilience of Ukrainian society; – During the night of 17 November, Russia attacked two energy facilities in the Chernihiv oblast, the city of Balakliia in the Kharkiv oblast, and energy and port infrastructure in Izmail, Odesa oblast. These attacks killed three civilians and injured fifteen. A civilian vessel flying the flag of Türkiye, carrying 4,000 tons of liquified gas, was also damaged – an attack that could have triggered an irreparable catastrophe. The local population of Plauru, Romania, had to be evacuated; – On 18 November, the terrorist state conducted a combined drone and ballistic missile attack on energy facilities across four regions of Ukraine. The strike on Dnipro was particularly vicious – more than 20 explosions. Residential buildings, the local railway station, a TV tower and premises of the national broadcaster in the region – “Suspilne TV”, were hit. For Russia, these too are allegedly “military targets”; – Just last night alone, Russia launched 476 UAVs, 40 Kh-101 missiles, 7 “Kalibr” missiles and 1 ballistic missile. The enemy struck Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil. In Ternopil, as of this moment, 10 civilians have been confirmed killed. Ukraine strongly condemns these deliberate attacks on civilians, civilian and energy infrastructure, as well as the violation of Romania’s airspace. Such actions constitute grave breaches of international law and undermine the very foundations of the OSCE’s security commitments. We urge all OSCE participating States to go beyond expressions of concern and to tighten sanctions, isolate the aggressor, reinforce Ukraine’s air defence and support
3 accountability mechanisms. Anything less will be interpreted by Moscow as permission to continue its terror. Colleagues, Russia also stands as a persistent violator of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, having developed and deployed prohibited weapons long before the Treaty’s formal collapse – systematically breaching its obligations while publicly denying responsibility. We have confirmed evidence that Russia has launched 9M729 cruise missiles – “Novator” in Russian terminology, designated SSC-8 “Screwdriver” by NATO – a ground-launched system capable of nuclear delivery and explicitly banned under the INF Treaty. It was precisely this missile that compelled the United States to withdraw from the Treaty in August 2019. The missile, with a range exceeding 1,200 kilometres, is a clear illustration of Moscow’s disregard for international obligations and its readiness to escalate, threatening wider European security. Russia has already used “Novator” missiles 23 times against Ukraine. Colleagues, Russia regularly makes accusations in this Forum about mercenaries and alleged violations of Geneva’s conventions. But we all recall the mercenaries of the Wagner Group, funded by the Russian state and deployed against Ukraine since the very beginning until the so-called “Prigozhin mutiny” in June 2023. Only afterward did Putin force them to be “legalized” and sign contracts with the Ministry of Defence — and we all know what ultimately happened to Prigozhin. His fate was lethal because Putin feared losing control. Russia continues to bolster its illegal invasion not only through the regular forces of North Korea, but also by recruiting and deploying foreign mercenaries and fighters from around the world, turning the conflict into a magnet for opportunists, coerced individuals, and proxies. Reports indicate the involvement of combatants mostly from Cuba, Nepal, Syria and various African states, as well as from India, Sri Lanka, China, and Central Asian countries. These people, often recruited under false promises or coercion, are used as cannon fodder, further internationalizing the aggression and complicating efforts to restore peace.
4 Most foreign fighters in the Russian army are immediately thrown into so-called “meat assaults”, where they are quickly killed. The Russian command treats them as expendable, second-rate human material. The majority do not survive more than a month. Those who are now in Ukrainian captivity were taken during their very first battle – and thus saved their own lives. Ukraine treats all prisoners of war fully in accordance with international humanitarian law. We strongly urge people worldwide not to join the ranks of the Russian army and not to sign any documents with Russian authorities. Colleagues, We must also draw attention to Russia’s broader pattern of hybrid warfare – including disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks, and acts of sabotage – all of which undermine the fabric of European security. The OSCE, as a pillar of cooperative security, cannot remain passive. Ukraine calls on all participating States to impose stricter sanctions, provide enhanced military and humanitarian support, and hold Russia accountable through international tribunals for its crimes. As our Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized: “What we need is a turn from “as long as it takes” to “as strong as it gets”. Thank you, Mr Chairperson.