Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Maria Zabolotskaya at an informal 'Arria formula' meeting of the UNSC members on the topic “A Decade of Resolution 2286: Protecting Medical Care in Conflict amid Evolving Threats”
Mr. Chair,
We share the view of the organizers of the meeting that the issue of protecting medical facilities and personnel in armed conflict remains as relevant as ever. We would like to thank the briefers for their contributions to the discussion.
Ten years after the adoption of the UNSC Council resolution 2286, the situation in this area continues to deteriorate. Yet, the ever-worsening statistic of recent years is the logical consequence of the developments in the Middle East.
Thus, as a result of the US-Israeli aggression, Iran’s healthcare system has become imperiled, with the country’s authorities reporting approximately 240 attacks targeting healthcare and treatment centers. Lebanon have witnessed more than 131 attacks on such facilities since March 2, which resulted in the deaths of 103 and injuries to 234 healthcare workers, according to the UNHCR reports.
The situation in Palestine remains unprecedented when it comes to the magnitude of human suffering. According to the WHO Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA), a total of 1,928 attacks were recorded in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and May 2, 2026. As a result of these attacks, more than 1,000 medical and humanitarian workers were killed, and nearly 1,900 were wounded.
A negative trend persists in Gaza. A case in point here is what happened to a Palestinian Red Crescent paramedic team, whose bodies were later discovered in a mass grave. There are also recurring reports of “double tap” strikes when those rushing to help the wounded are being targeted too.
However, the latter has become characteristic not only of the Middle East. Double tap strikes targeting those who arrive to rescue the wounded are also a hallmark of the Ukrainian army. In essence, the tactic to deprive civilians of access to medical care is one of the key elements of Kiev regime’s strategy. This is attested to by more frequent attacks targeting medical facilities on Russian soil in the first quarter of 2026. As a result of the bombardment, about 40 medical workers have already been injured, and at least 15 have been killed. In 2025, Ukrainian troops hit more than 60 civilian medical vehicles. Moreover, European countries are supplying weapons for Ukraine to carry out these attacks. Just a few days ago, I met with children who were wounded as a result of the use of Czech cluster munitions. These munitions are manufactured in the Czech Republic with funding from Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, which take pride in their complicity in this criminal activity.
This information is publicly available on the web site of Russia’s Foreign Ministry. It can also be found in the reports by Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Federation Rodion Miroshnik.
We wish to stress that States’ compliance with the obligations they assume under international humanitarian law should not be contingent on any specific circumstances and must be universal in nature. We believe that the legal norms in this area are clear, even when it comes to new technologies.
Thank you.
