The number of civilians killed since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is close to 4,000, according to UNHCR

The UN warns of the "considerable loss" and the destruction of Ukraine's cultural heritage

MADRID, 26 May. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has estimated this Wednesday at 3,974 civilians killed and 4,654 injured by attacks and bombings on Ukrainian territory since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in Ukraine last February 24.

Specifically, UNHCR has registered the deaths of 1,497 men, 985 women, 91 girls and 99 boys, as well as 69 minors and 1,233 adults whose sex is still unknown, while, with regard to the injured, there are a total of 938 men, 619 women, 108 girls and 130 boys, as well as 164 minors and 2,695 adults of unknown sex.

By region, in eastern Ukraine, in Donetsk and Lugansk, the organization has estimated 2,234 dead and 2,638 wounded. Likewise, in the territory controlled by the Ukrainian Government, 2,106 deaths and 2,111 injuries have been registered.

In addition, in the territory controlled by Russian troops there have been 128 dead and 527 wounded, while in other regions of Ukraine under the control of the Ukrainian Government when the casualties occurred -- Kiev, Cherkassy, ​​Chernigov, Kharkov, Kherson, Mikolaiv, Odessa, Sumy, Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Rivne, Vinnitsa and Zhytomyr -- there are at least 1,740 dead and 2,016 wounded.

ACNUR has also specified that more than 6.6 million people have left Ukraine, with more than 3.5 million arrivals only to Polish territory and to other countries such as Romania (972,000), Hungary (655,000), Moldova (474,000) and Slovakia (446,000).

The agency, which does not have data on the subsequent redistribution of these refugees, has estimated this Wednesday at 945,000 people who have crossed into Russian territory, although the authorities of this country assure that the real figure exceeds 1.4 million.

Apart from the refugees, the UN estimates that more than eight million people have become internally displaced in Ukraine, that is, they have left their homes but have not left for other countries.

Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has also indicated at a press conference that the clashes continue in the provinces of Lugansk and Donetsk, as well as in Kharkov and other parts of Ukraine, which "generates concern for the protection of civilians.

"Our humanitarian partners also warn that there is a critical shortage of medicines in the south of Kherson province. Ninety percent of pharmacies are closed and prices have increased three or five times," he warned.

On the other hand, a UN human rights expert warned Wednesday from Geneva that the multiple violations of cultural rights in Ukraine will have devastating effects in the post-war era.

"As in other conflicts, we are currently witnessing the development of suffering in Ukraine that does not seem to end and we cannot stop it," said the special rapporteur on cultural rights for the UN, Alexandra Xanthaki.

"The questioning and denial of Ukraine's identity and history as a justification for war is a violation of the Ukrainians' right to self-determination and their cultural rights," he added.

It has also emphasized the "considerable loss" and destruction of cultural heritage, actions that erode "the identity of both Ukrainians and minorities within Ukraine" and affect "the establishment of a peaceful multicultural society." In addition, he has expressed concern about damage to cultural centers, monuments and museums in Ukrainian cities.

Xanthaki has also praised the work of many cultural professionals in Ukraine who are dedicated to protecting heritage resources at risk during the war and has also expressed regret for the "indiscriminate" exclusion of Russian artists from cultural events around the world. world.

"I am saddened by the numerous restrictions placed on Russian artists in retaliation for the actions of the Russian government, as well as the deprogramming of sometimes centuries-old works of art by Russian writers or composers," he said, adding that there are reports of musicians and artists Russians who have been prevented from performing or participating in events and competitions.