Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the opening of the high-level segment of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council. Top news of the day | Monday: Ukraine, Afghanistan, migrants, HRC UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: a statement by the Secretary General on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into the territory of Ukraine, casualties as a result of Pakistan’s strikes on Afghanistan, the sinking of a boat with migrants in the Mediterranean, the opening of a session of the Human Rights Council.
Invasion Anniversary
Tuesday, February 24, marks four years since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which, as the UN Secretary-General once again emphasized, occurred in violation of the UN Charter and international law. According to the Secretary General’s statement released on Monday, the war is becoming increasingly deadly. In 2025, the highest number of civilian deaths in Ukraine was recorded. António Guterres reiterated his call for a complete and unconditional ceasefire as the first step towards a just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter, international law and respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Casualties in Afghanistan
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has received credible reports of civilian casualties as a result of airstrikes carried out by Pakistani forces inside Afghanistan on the night of 21-22 February. According to preliminary information, at least 13 civilians were killed and seven more were injured, including women and children. The UN mission calls on all parties to cease hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further casualties.
Migrant deaths
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that at least 30 migrants are considered dead or missing after a boat accident near coast of Greece on Saturday. 20 people were rescued, including four minors. The boat left Libya on February 19 and capsized near the island of Crete. In just two months into 2026, at least 606 people have already died or gone missing on routes across the Mediterranean, according to the IOM. This is a record figure since the collection of such data began in 2014.
Human Rights Council
Delegates from more than 120 countries gathered in Geneva on Monday to mark the 20th anniversary of the creation of the UN Human Rights Council. human rights and reaffirm a common commitment to international law – against the backdrop of rapidly increasing global instability, wars and conflicts. Recalling the geopolitical uncertainty associated with conflicts in the Gaza Strip, Myanmar, Ukraine, Sudan and other regions, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the Council to stand up for human rights. In the current situation, they are under threat all over the world, he emphasized.