Guterres calls latest Russian attacks “an unacceptable escalation in the war.”

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The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has been “deeply shocked” by the attacks perpetrated this Monday by Russian forces on different cities in Ukraine, “another unacceptable escalation in the war” that broke out with the invasion in February.

“As always, civilians pay the highest price” of the conflict, Guterres lamented, in a statement in which he deplored the “extensive” damage on urban areas and the dozens of victims left by these “large-scale” missile attacks.

Guterres has tried in vain during these last months that the parties agree on a cease-fire, distant in the light of the latest developments. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Monday’s “massive attack” and threatened to launch more missiles on Ukraine.