HAMILTON, Canada

The UN's political affairs chief warned Friday that the reported incursion of Russian drones into Poland underscores the escalating dangers of the war in Ukraine and its destabilizing effect on regional security.

"We noted with deep concern the reports that Russian military drones entered Poland, in violation of Polish airspace," Rosemary DiCarlo said at a Security Council emergency session on the incursion.

She said Poland informed the Council that "during the night of 9 and 10 September, 19 Russian drones entered Polish airspace," marking a serious development.

"This is not the first time that drones have been detected in neighboring countries during the full-scale war in Ukraine. But it is the first time that multiple drones have flown so deep into a neighboring country's airspace," she noted.

DiCarlo warned that "this week's events underline the dangerous impact of this war on the security of the region and the risk of escalation," stressing that "this incident also endangers the recent diplomatic efforts to achieve an end to this unprovoked and brutal war."

Citing the UN's human rights office, she reported that at least 208 civilians were killed and 827 injured in Ukraine in August.

"We are equally concerned about the continuing impact of the war on civilians in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine and within the Russian Federation," DiCarlo added.

The UN official urged "a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine," and said: "The end state must be a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions."

"The United Nations remains available to support all genuine efforts to this end," she affirmed.