United Nations, New York — January 13, 2026

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, delivered a forceful statement at a UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of committing “terrorist attacks” against civilians and criticising what he described as Western “double standards” in responding to the conflict.

Strikes and Counterstrikes

Nebenzia confirmed that Russian forces carried out one large-scale and four group airstrikes between January 3–9, targeting transport, energy, and military infrastructure in Ukraine.

He said the strikes were retaliation for what Moscow claims was a Ukrainian attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence and other civilian infrastructure inside Russia.

The ambassador insisted that Russia does not target civilians, alleging instead that most casualties reported in Ukraine were caused by the country’s own air defense systems.

He dismissed Western accusations of Russian attacks on families “peacefully sleeping in their homes” as “groundless” and “uncorroborated by facts.”

Civilian Casualties and Accusations

Nebenzia accused Ukraine of deliberately striking Russian civilian facilities, claiming that in December 2025 alone, 367 civilians were injured and 56 killed in Ukrainian attacks.

He expressed outrage over what he described as the international community’s silence, particularly from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whom he accused of “selective blindness” in condemning Russia while ignoring Ukrainian actions.

The envoy highlighted a recent incident in Khorly, a resort town in the Kherson region, where he said a Ukrainian strike on New Year’s Eve killed 29 people, including two children, and wounded more than 30.

He described the attack as “premeditated and deliberate,” noting that a reconnaissance drone had been observed over the area before the strike.

Criticism of Western Governments

Nebenzia accused Western governments and media of complicity in what he called “terrorist attacks” by Kyiv, arguing that billions of dollars in European taxpayer funds were being used to support Ukraine’s military operations.

He charged that Western nations were covering for Ukraine’s actions while supplying arms and political backing.

He also criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him the leader of a “neo-Nazi clique” and accusing him of corruption and lawlessness.

According to Nebenzia, Zelensky seeks to secure money and weapons from “European puppeteers” while ignoring realistic conditions for negotiations.

Dialogue and Negotiations

The Russian envoy dismissed recent European Commission discussions about engaging in dialogue with Moscow, saying Russia has “never turned away from dialogue” but that the West had arrogantly assumed it could inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia.

Nebenzia warned that unless Kyiv accepts Russia’s terms for negotiations, Moscow will continue to pursue its objectives militarily. “Every horrific attack on peaceful Russian citizens will elicit a harsh response,” he said.