Today's top news: Ukraine, Iran
Ukraine
Fighting and hostilities over the weekend killed and injured civilians, while critical facilities, including several hospitals, were damaged on both sides of the frontline.
On Saturday evening, dozens of civilians were reportedly killed or injured during an attack on a hospital in Novoaidar in the part of the Luhansk region currently under military control of the Russian Federation.
Earlier during the same day, another health facility was reportedly hit in areas under Russian control in the Kherson region.
On Sunday, attacks were reported in Kherson city and other parts of the region that are under Ukrainian control. Health workers were reportedly injured when the Kherson Clinical Hospital was hit. Other civilians were killed or injured and civilian infrastructure, including homes and a school, were damaged.
In Kharkiv city, a residential building was hit last night, once again killing and injuring civilians. Our humanitarian colleagues are on the ground, supporting the survivors.
The United Nations has limited access to areas not under Ukrainian control and cannot independently verify the number of casualties. International humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate attacks and requires the parties to take all feasible precautions to avoid or minimize civilian harm. We call on both sides to comply with these obligations.
Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran was hit by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake on the 28 January, in the evening local time.
The quake hit Khoy, West Azarbaijan, in the north-west of the country. According to national authorities, at least three people were killed and 973 people injured. The quake destroyed 370 houses and caused damage in 70 villages.
More than 60 aftershocks were recorded in the area, including two that measured 4.5 on the Richter scale. The quake follows another strong quake in Khoy, 10 days ago, which caused some damage but left no deaths.
Relief operation and damage assessments are underway, and the Iranian Red Crescent Society have mobilized emergency teams and relief items.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran has requested United Nations assistance, and we stand ready to support the response. We extend our condolences to the Government of Iran and to the affected families.