Speaking to the Security Council in New York, Guterres said the latest attacks launched by Russia on May 23 and 24 – and the prospect of additional attacks – underscored “the gravity of this moment.”
“The current course is not sustainable,” he said. “This trajectory must change.“
He warned that the escalation of the conflict risked “getting out of control”, citing the dangers of miscalculations and “unknown and unintended consequences”.
“What is needed now is a reduction in tension: immediate and sustained,“said the Secretary-General. “What is needed now is a total and unconditional ceasefire.”
Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the Security Council meeting on the Maintenance of Peace and Security in Ukraine.
Massive attacks
Russia launched around 90 long-range missiles and 600 drones during the overnight strikes, killing at least five people and wounding more than 100 across Ukraine, with the most serious damage reported in the capital kyiv.
Diplomatic facilities and accommodation complexes of UN agencies were also affected by falling debris, although no UN personnel were injured.
Civilian casualties increase
The emergency meeting came amid growing concern over rising civilian casualties and continued attacks on civilian infrastructure in both Ukraine and Russia.
According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, more civilians were killed or injured in Ukraine during the first four months of 2026 than during the same period in 2025. The office verified 815 civilian deaths and 4,174 injuries between January and April.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, more than 15,000 civilians – including nearly 800 children – have been killed in Ukraine, according to verified UN figures.
Return to negotiations
Hours earlier, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, asked both parties to resume negotiations.
“I highly recommend moderation. Resume negotiations and end the suffering,” said.
Türk cited several recent attacks that caused numerous civilian casualties, including a Russian attack on a residential building in kyiv earlier this month that reportedly killed 24 civilians.
He also referred to a Ukrainian attack on an educational complex in the Russian-occupied city of Starobilsk, which Russian authorities said killed 21 people and wounded 44 others.
According to OHCHR, publicly available information indicated that civilians, including students, were among the victims.
“The time for peace is now”
Guterres reiterated that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law and called for renewed diplomatic efforts to achieve “a just, lasting and comprehensive peace” in line with the United Nations Charter.
“The choice is clear. The responsibility is clear. The time for peace is now,” he said.