Latvia has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council after a Russian strike on a school being used to distribute humanitarian aid in the Ukrainian village of Komyshuvakha, officials said Tuesday.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said the attack occurred in the Zaporizhia region, where Ukrainian authorities reported that civilians were killed while receiving assistance. Her statement described the site as an aid distribution center and said at least 26 people died. The Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration reported a higher toll of 31 people killed in the strike.
“Latvia has called for an extraordinary meeting of the UN🇺🇳 Security Council after horrific Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine, including on an aid distribution centre in Komyshuvakha, where at least 26 innocent people were killed,” — Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže
Strike hit aid distribution site
Russian troops struck the school on Nov. 2 while humanitarian aid was being distributed there, according to the regional military administration. The school is in Komyshuvakha, a village in the Zaporizhia region of southeastern Ukraine.
The casualty figures released by the Latvian foreign minister and the Ukrainian regional administration differ. Braže referred to at least 26 deaths, while the regional administration said 31 people were killed. Both accounts described the victims as civilians at a location where humanitarian assistance was being provided.
- Nov. 2: A strike hit a school in Komyshuvakha during aid distribution, according to Ukrainian regional officials.
- Nov. 3: Latvia requested an extraordinary meeting of the U.N. Security Council.
- Casualties: The Latvian foreign minister cited at least 26 deaths; the Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration reported 31.
Latvia chairs the council
Latvia is chairing the U.N. Security Council in November, its first time holding the rotating presidency of the council, according to Braže’s statement. The presidency gives Latvia responsibility for organizing the council’s work during the month, including requests for meetings on international security matters.
The council is the U.N.’s main body for addressing threats to international peace and security. Latvia’s request concerns the conduct of the war in Ukraine and the reported deaths of civilians at a site used for humanitarian aid. The request follows the attack announced by Ukrainian authorities on Monday.
Braže made the announcement on Tuesday through social media. The Ukrainian regional administration provided the account of the strike and its reported death toll. The requested meeting would bring the attack before the council while Latvia holds its November presidency.
