The United Nations said on Tuesday (September 8) its secretary-general was encouraged by diplomatic efforts, including visits by senior U.S. envoys to Moscow and Kyiv, and hoped they would lead to renewed talks between Ukraine and Russia.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the goal was an "immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire" leading to lasting peace in line with international law.

He also called for an end to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in both countries.

At least 18 children were injured and one killed across Ukraine over the past seven days, Dujarric said, citing the United Nations Children's Fund.

More than 120,000 people were directly affected by strikes in the second quarter, while civilian casualties from missile and drone attacks rose more than 90% from the first quarter, according to U.N. humanitarian officials.

Aid partners provided first aid, emergency construction materials, psychosocial support and hot meals following the latest attacks in Kyiv, Dujarric said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. U.N. SPOKESPERSON, STEPHANE DUJARRIC, IN PRESS BRIEFING ROOM

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. SPOKESPERSON, STEPHANE DUJARRIC, SAYING:

"The secretary-general is encouraged by recent diplomatic efforts, including the visits of senior U.S. envoys to Moscow and Kyiv. The secretary-general hopes that the latest initiatives lead to a resumption of talks between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, paving the way for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire, leading to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in line with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and relevant resolutions of the United Nations. The United Nations stands ready to support all meaningful efforts to that end. At the same time, the secretary-general remains deeply concerned by the continuing attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, as well as in the Russian Federation, and calls for their immediate end. He urges the sides to ensure conditions conducive to the continuation of diplomatic efforts. And on the ground in Ukraine, the impact on children is particularly concerning; according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), at least 18 children have been injured and one killed across Ukraine in the past seven days. We, along with our partners, continue to respond despite the growing risks. Following the latest attacks in Kyiv, our partners provided first aid, emergency construction materials, psychosocial support, and hot meals. Our humanitarian colleagues note that attacks are reaching more areas, driving humanitarian needs far beyond the front lines. In the second quarter of this year, more than 120,000 people were directly impacted by strikes, and civilian casualties from missile and drone attacks rose by more than 90% compared with the first quarter; that’s according to OCHA’s latest analysis of the situation within Ukraine. And just to flag that Alexander De Croo, the administrator of the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), is in Ukraine for a four-day visit. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine is one of UNDP’s largest operations, covering all 24 oblasts, including frontline and high-risk areas. The administrator’s visit is focused on UNDP’s support to critical energy infrastructure, winterization and recovery. With around 50% of Ukraine’s electricity generation capacity damaged or disrupted, UNDP is helping keep lights, heating, water and essential services running, while supporting a more resilient, decentralized and sustainable energy system. The administrator will meet with government ministers, war-impacted communities, veterans and young Ukrainians who have been living through four-and-a-half years of war. Ukraine is one of UNDP’s largest operations in the world, with about 500 UNDP personnel on the ground."

KYIV, UKRAINE (SEPTEMBER 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

3. EXPLOSION, BALL OF FIRE AND BLACK CLOUD OF SMOKE RISING INTO AIR, SOUND OF BLAST (NIGHT SHOT)

4. VARIOUS OF PLUME OF SMOKE RISING INTO AIR, SOUND OF EXPLOSION (NIGHT SHOT)

5. SOUND OF EXPLOSION OVER KYIV SKYLINE, STREAK OF SMOKE ACROSS NIGHT SKY (NIGHT SHOT)

6. CAMERA SHAKING, FIRE / AUDIO OF EXPLOSION / SMOKE CLOUD RISING AFTER STRIKE NEAR PREVIOUS FIRE (NIGHT SHOT)

7. LARGE FIRES / AUDIO OF EXPLOSION (NIGHT SHOT)

8. CLOUD OF SMOKE RISING INTO AIR, FIRE BURNING, SOUND OF EXPLOSION (NIGHT SHOT)

9. PROJECTILES FLYING ACROSS NIGHT SKY, FLASH OF LIGHT AGAINST SKY (NIGHT SHOT)

10. VARIOUS OF SOUND OF SIREN, CLOUD HANGING OVER SKY (NIGHT SHOT)

11. VARIOUS OF SUN SHINING, STREAKS OF CLOUDS HANGING OVER SKYLINE, SOUND OF SIREN

12. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE TAKING SHELTER IN METRO STATION

13. FLAMES BEING EXTINGUISHED, ROOF OF NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDING COLLAPSING

14. FIREFIGHTER ON CRANE LADDER, BATTLING FLAMES

15. FIRE, SMOKE BILLOWING

16. BUILDING ON FIRE, FIRE TRUCK NEARBY

17. FIREFIGHTER EXTINGUISHING BURNING CAR

18. VARIOUS OF CORDON, TWO COVERED BODIES NEAR BURNED OUT VEHICLES

19. DAMAGED FACADE OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDING / CORDONED AREA BELOW, FLOODED STREET

20. MAN LOOKING AT IMPACT CRATER

21. VARIOUS OF HEAVILY DAMAGED BUILDING, FIREFIGHTERS AT SITE / AUDIO OF AIR RAID SIREN

22. BUILDING ON FIRE

23. SUPERMARKET WORKER, YANA (NO SURNAME GIVEN), 19 YEARS OLD, STANDING NEXT TO DOG AND FAMILY MEMBER

24. PERSON PATTING DOG

25. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) SUPERMARKET WORKER, YANA (NO SURNAME GIVEN), 19 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"When foreign guests come to visit us, it's always quiet here. You kind of relax, exhale, feel calm. You sit there and think, 'My God, how is this possible?' That's how it was on Sunday. There wasn't even an air raid alert. It was so peaceful, as if there wasn't a war at all."

26. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING PAST STRIKE SITE

27. CLEANING LADY, LARYSA (NO SURNAME GIVEN), 63 YEARS OLD, WALKING WITH FAMILY MEMBER

28. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) CLEANING LADY, LARYSA (NO SURNAME GIVEN), 63 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"We'd just cleaned up the windows, cleared all this away, and now it's happened again. That's how we live: we go to work during the day, and at night we see this."

29. DEBRIS ON AND NEAR PLAYGROUND

30. TOY SHOPPING TROLLEY TOSSED UPSIDE DOWN

31. DAMAGED WINDOWS

32. RUBBLE, COVERED BODY

33. MEN IN MILITARY UNIFORM CARRYING BODY ON STRETCHER

32. POLICE CORDON, INVESTIGATOR KNEELING OVER BODY