U.N. blames Russia for ramping up Ukraine war

Pro-Russia Cossack rebels guard a checkpoint in Perevalsk, Ukraine
(Image credit: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

On Monday, the United Nations released its latest report on the war in Ukraine, putting the number of dead at above 6,000 and the number of wounded at nearly 15,000. The conflict had died down a bit in December, but an influx of military support from Russia had led to an escalation in fighting, dampening prospects for a peaceful resolution, U.N. Assistant Secretary General Ivan Simonovic said in Geneva.

"Credible reports indicate a continuing influx of heavy and sophisticated weaponry to armed groups in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as foreign fighters, including from the Russian Federation," said the U.N. in its ninth report on the Ukraine conflict, focusing on the period from December through mid-February. "This has fueled the escalation of the conflict and new offensives by armed groups, undermining the potential for peace as armed groups extend their areas of control." The big losers have been Kiev and civilians. You can read the entire report at the U.N.'s website.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.