Imminent Indictment

Recent days have witnessed some of the worst attacks against Ukrainian civilians since the start of the war in February 2022. According to Danielle Bell, the head of the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), “The surge in long-range missile and drone strikes across the country has brought even more death and destruction to civilians far away from the frontline.”

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In fact, according to new data from the HRMMU, which has monitored loss of life throughout all of Russia’s major bombing offensives, the monthly casualty rate among Ukraine’s civilian population in June was the highest in more than three years. Civilian casualties included 232 deaths, with a further 1,343 Ukrainians injured in the span of one month.

As dire as conditions for civilians have become, the surge in Russian violence may also mark a turning point in Ukraine’s favour. US President Donald Trump has now signalled a shift in his position, which Ukrainians and their allies across the West hope will be sustained.

Trump’s decision to supply the type of lethal missiles (paid for by Europe) that will allow Ukraine to continue its fight against Russian aggression reflects his slow loss of trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to negotiate a peace agreement. Likewise, Trump’s accompanying threat to impose new sanctions comes in response to Putin’s failure to honour his promises.