UN urged to take measures to de-escalate Ukrainian conflict

The United Nations (UN) recommends that the participants in the conflict in Ukraine take measures to de-escalate the crisis. This was stated by the official representative of the UN Secretary General, Stephane Dujarric, on 21 November.

In his opinion, measures to prevent the Ukrainian conflict should be taken urgently, because "everything is going in the wrong direction."

"We want all sides to take urgent steps to prevent the situation from escalating," TASS quoted him as saying.

Dujarric said that the first priority should be to ensure the protection of civilians and not to strike civilian objects or critical civilian infrastructure.

Earlier, on November 19, the UN expressed concern over ATACMS missile strikes on the Bryansk region. Dujarric noted that the organization is concerned not only about escalation, but also about the very fact of the continuation of the conflict.

Also on that day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems and the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and cannon system in the Bryansk region shot down five ATACMS missiles fired by the AFU and damaged another one. The wreckage of the latter fell on the territory of the military facility, without casualties or damage.

On November 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine had used Western long-range weapons against the Russian state. According to him, the regional conflict has acquired elements of global character. The head of state also said that one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested in combat conditions - a ballistic missile in nuclear-free hypersonic equipment called "Oreshnik" was used.

The special operation to defend Donbass, which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, is still ongoing. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.