DISINFO: UN fails to take a balanced stance on situation around Vinnytsia
SUMMARY
The UN Secretariat has failed to take a balanced stance on the developments in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s statements about it are contrary to the requirements of the UN Charter. The Secretariat failed to take an equidistant stance, which is what one would expect from the secretariat of the most reputable international organisation, particularly designed to help resolve disputes.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, claiming that Russian military does not strike civilian infrastructure.
The material and links may contain distressing/ graphic content.
In reality, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s response to Russia’s bombing of several civilian objects in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia on 14 July 2022 was as follows:
“The Secretary-General is appalled by today's missile attack against the city of Vinnytsia in central Ukraine that reportedly killed at least 22 people, including three children and wounded more than 100 others. The Secretary-General condemns any attacks against civilians or civilian infrastructure and reiterates his call for accountability for such violations.”
It was an objective and unbiased statement without even mentioning Russia as the perpetrator.
It is a well-established fact that Russian missiles struck several civilian objects in Vinnytsia on 14 July 2022, killing at least 23 people, among them several children. A business centre in downtown Vinnytsia, an Officers’ House and several houses were targeted. Russian propaganda reports claimed that Nazis were deployed in the Officers’ House. However, Officers’ Houses in Ukraine are not military facilities. They are civilian objects where cultural, educational, and leisure activities are carried out. Concerts and other social events are often held there.
The UN is striving to put an end to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Antonio Guterres has visited both Moscow and Kyiv in an attempt to secure a truce or ceasefire. The UN is also taking part in talks aimed at lifting the Russian blockade of Ukrainian seaports so that Ukraine is able to export its agricultural produce and avert a possible famine in the world.
The EU's HRVP Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič condemned Russian attacks against civilian targets, calling the events in Vinnytsia an atrocity, "the latest in a long series of brutal attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure."
Read more about the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.