Melnik responded at the UN Security Council to Russia’s disinformation regarding the Ukrainian army
This was stated by Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Andriy Melnyk, during a meeting of the UN Security Council, as reported by Ukrinform.
At the UN Security Council meeting, Andriy Melnyk commented on remarks made by Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, regarding the alleged shift in international attention from Russia’s war against Ukraine to events in the Middle East. The Ukrainian diplomat stated that such claims demonstrate Russia’s loss of credibility and its diminishing influence in the region.
According to Melnyk, it is Ukraine that is providing practical assistance to partners in the Persian Gulf region, helping them to protect energy infrastructure from attacks by Iranian drones and missiles, which, he said, are supported by Russia.
The diplomat also stated that Russia is the main ally of the Tehran regime, which, in his view, has betrayed the Gulf states and used its veto to block an important draft resolution on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Separately, Melnyk addressed the issue of the Russian army. He stated that instead of spreading disinformation about the Ukrainian military, which he said was aimed at fuelling hostility and dividing Ukrainian society, Nebenzia should focus on the situation within the Russian armed forces.
According to Ukraine’s Permanent Representative, since the start of 2026, Russia has been losing at least 30–35,000 troops every month, and combat losses already exceed the planned recruitment targets.
Melnik also stated that the Kremlin is facing serious difficulties in recruiting volunteers, despite significant financial incentives. According to him, this has forced regional authorities in Russia to compete with one another by increasing payments for signing contracts.
Furthermore, the diplomat claims that the Russian army is largely being manned through coercion and pressure on vulnerable sections of the population, including prisoners, migrants, recently naturalised citizens and mercenaries.
It was previously reported that the UN Security Council met on 20 April to discuss the latest Russian shelling of Ukraine.
As reported by ThePublic, France, Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution on the forcible opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
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