Pope Leo Urges Russia and Ukraine to Halt Attacks on Civilian Targets

VATICAN CITY (Terror Monitor) — Pope Leo said on Sunday that innocent people are being killed and injured in Ukraine and Russia. He called for an end to the war and urged both sides to immediately stop attacks on civilian targets.

Addressing people gathered for Sunday's Angelus prayer, the pope said, “Tragic events continue to increase, resulting in a growing number of civilian casualties, including children.”

Pope Leo said, “I once again appeal for respect for international humanitarian law and for attacks on civilian targets on both sides to stop.”

According to the United Nations, more than 16,000 civilians have been killed in the war, which has been ongoing for around four and a half years, with the majority of the victims being Ukrainian civilians.

The UN Human Rights Office said in July that civilian casualties in Ukraine increased by more than one-third during the first half of this year, with the rise in drone attacks being a major factor.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has also been carrying out drone attacks inside Russia. A UN official said last month that civilians have also been killed in these attacks in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and inside Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that a Russian attack the previous night damaged the port of Odesa in Ukraine and wounded eight people.

Russian authorities said that five people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian city of Belgorod overnight.