Across Europe, governments continue to focus on how the war in Ukraine affects wider security, energy resilience, and civilian protection.
The UK told the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe that Russia’s escalating assaults show no credible intent to pursue peace, citing rising civilian casualties and intensified strikes.
The United Kingdom has told the OSCE that Russia’s assault on Ukraine is escalating, with higher civilian casualties and more frequent drone, missile, and infrastructure attacks. Speaking in Vienna, UK Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Ambassador James Ford set out figures from UN monitoring and described systematic strikes on healthcare and energy.
The UK said the pattern shows no serious Russian intent to negotiate, and confirmed continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Introduction
The UK set out its assessment of Russia’s conduct in Ukraine in a statement delivered to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna.
The remarks were delivered by UK Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Ambassador James Ford. The transcript was published on 22 January 2026, and is recorded as delivered on 22 January 2025.
Statement Delivered at OSCE in Vienna
The UK used the OSCE forum to present what it described as a fact-based picture of Russia’s current military approach in Ukraine, focusing on civilian harm and attacks on essential services.
In the statement, the UK said Russia’s actions demonstrate escalation rather than restraint, and argued that the pattern is inconsistent with a genuine pursuit of peace.
Civilian Casualties and Human Impact
The UK cited figures from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine to describe rising civilian casualties during 2025, and said the trend shows the toll on ordinary people is increasing.
It said the reported totals point to an intensifying assault on civilians rather than de-escalation.
- 2,514 civilians killed in 2025, according to UN monitoring cited by the UK
- 12,142 civilians injured in 2025, as cited in the UK statement
- 31% increase in total civilian casualties compared with 2024, as stated by the UK
Expansion of Drone and Missile Campaign
The UK said Russia has expanded its use of drones and missiles, describing a sustained pattern of long-range attacks against Ukrainian cities.
It told the OSCE that the scale of strikes in 2025 amounted to a campaign intended to terrorise and exhaust the country, based on the figures it presented.
Attacks on Health and Energy Infrastructure
The UK said Russia’s strikes have continued to target civilian infrastructure, including healthcare services and energy systems, with severe consequences for access to medical care and basic utilities.
It cited attacks on health facilities and warned that damage to energy infrastructure has contributed to blackouts, water disruption, and limited heating during winter conditions.
- Healthcare facilities cited by the UK as being attacked during 2025
- Energy infrastructure described by the UK as damaged, contributing to blackouts and reduced heating
- Civilians described as facing prolonged disruption during freezing conditions
UK Position on Peace and Support for Ukraine
The UK told OSCE participating States that it sees no credible signs Russia is serious about peace negotiations, and said the figures it set out show a pattern of continued escalation.
It said the UK will maintain support for Ukraine, framing a just and lasting peace as one that respects sovereignty, restores security, and upholds international rules.
Figures Cited in the UK Statement
| UN-reported civilian casualties in 2025 | 2,514 killed and 12,142 injured, as cited by the UK from UN monitoring |
| Change versus earlier years | 31% higher than 2024 and 70% higher than 2023, as stated by the UK |
| Drone launches (June–December 2025) | Average of over 5,300 drones per month, as stated by the UK |
| Missiles fired in 2025 | Over 1,900 missiles at Ukrainian cities, as stated by the UK |
| Large-scale combined attacks after Istanbul talks | 39 large-scale attacks cited by the UK, including 11 exceeding 600 drones and missiles in a day |
Infrastructure Impacts Described by the UK
| Health-care sites | Nearly 600 health facilities attacked in 2025, as stated by the UK |
| Energy system disruption | State of emergency described following attacks, with blackouts and reduced water and heating |
| Damage to energy facilities | Over 63,000 energy facilities damaged, as stated by the UK |
| Generation capacity | Ukraine has lost 70% of pre-war generation capacity after four winters, as stated by the UK |
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
James Ford, UK Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Ambassador to the OSCE, said;
“Russia claims to want peace. But in 2025 alone, Russia killed 2,514 Ukrainian civilians and injured 12,142 more.”
James Ford, UK Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Ambassador to the OSCE, said;
“These are not the actions of a state seeking compromise. They are the actions of a state intent on overwhelming Ukraine’s defences and shutting down any path to peace.”
To Summarize
The UK told the OSCE in Vienna that Russia’s assault on Ukraine is escalating, with higher civilian casualties and intensified strikes on cities and civilian infrastructure.
It cited UN monitoring figures for 2025 casualties and described expanded drone and missile attacks, alongside repeated strikes on healthcare and energy systems. The UK said it sees no credible signs Russia is serious about peace negotiations, and confirmed continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Sources: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Ford.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
