There is still time to halt this grim trajectory." "An alarming economic decline, and the suffering and hardship it will bring to an already traumatized population must now come into sharper focus. "While the need for immediate humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians is of the utmost importance, the acute development impacts of a protracted war are now becoming more apparent," UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said in a press release. The organization found that in the event of a continuing war, 18 years of socio-economic achievements could be lost, with almost one in three people living below the poverty line and a further 62% at high risk of falling into poverty within a year. This would "set the country – and the region – back decades and leave deep social and economic scars for generations to come," the UNDP warned. Development Program Wednesday said 90% of the Ukrainian population could face poverty and "extreme economic vulnerability" if the war deepens. Weapons like rockets, "dumb" unguided bombs, and long-range artillery are less accurate and therefore more likely to hit unintended targets.Īccording to the most recent confirmed UN figures, more than 700 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the invasion began, but the actual number is likely to be much higher.ĭeath tolls from cities under artillery bombardment, such as Kharkiv and Mariupol, are unknown.Īn early projection released by the U.N. However, overwhelming photographic and video evidence, as well as official assessments from the United States, United Kingdom and others, show that Russia is in fact striking civilian targets with unguided weapons.
In response to a request for comment, the Russian Ministry of Defense directed CNBC to a statement from more than two weeks ago which said in part that Russian forces carry out strikes only on military targets "using high-precision weapons." "As a result, it is likely Russia is resorting to the use of older, less precise weapons, which are less militarily effective and more likely to result in civilian casualties," the ministry said in an intelligence update. Ukraine's anti-aircraft capabilities are still active and taking down Russian helicopters and jets. "Stand-off" weaponry refers to missiles that Russian aircraft can fire from a long distance without exposing themselves to Ukrainian anti-aircraft weapons. Defence Ministry said late Wednesday local time that Russia has expended more of its "stand-off air launched weapons" than it had expected, because it has failed to achieve its objectives or to gain control of Ukrainian airspace. Russian forces attacking Ukraine are likely turning to less precise heavy weapons that are less effective from a military standpoint and more likely to kill civilians, a European government said.
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