Russia has announced plans to convene a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in January to discuss alleged crimes committed by Ukrainian forces against civilians. Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s first deputy permanent representative to the UN, confirmed that the informal gathering would focus on the ongoing efforts to identify those responsible for alleged atrocities, particularly in the town of Selidovo, located in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
According to Polyansky, a report detailing Ukrainian atrocities in Selidovo, where more than 100 civilians were reportedly killed by Ukrainian troops, will be a central part of the discussion. Maxim Grigoryev, the head of the International Tribunal for the Crimes of Ukrainian Neo-Nazis, has claimed that Ukrainian forces were responsible for the deaths of these civilians. The meeting will also highlight testimonies from eyewitnesses and further investigation into the actions of Ukrainian forces.
The Russian government has stated that the process of holding perpetrators accountable is ongoing, with the goal of punishing those responsible for crimes against civilians. Russia’s call for a UNSC discussion on this issue is part of its broader strategy to focus attention on alleged Ukrainian war crimes, particularly in regions affected by the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
The Selidovo report, which comes from Russian sources, has yet to be independently verified by international bodies or human rights organizations. Russia’s push for the UNSC meeting in January will likely reignite tensions between Russia and Western powers, as the situation in Ukraine remains a contentious and polarizing issue at the UN.
As the conflict continues, efforts to investigate and hold parties accountable for alleged war crimes remain a critical aspect of the broader geopolitical landscape.
