Viktor Semenov, chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Ukraine in Thailand, on Friday thanked the Thai government, saying Ukraine is “really grateful” for Thailand’s principled support for Ukrainian sovereignty, international law and the UN Charter as Russia’s full-scale invasion drags past the four-year mark.
Semenov gave a lengthy briefing to Thai journalists in Bangkok about the situation in Ukraine. He also took the opportunity to thank the Thai government for its 5 million baht humanitarian aid, and urged Thais not to forget the “Russian war of aggression” against Ukraine.
“We also kindly ask Thai people: Do not forget about this war. We are fighting not only for our country. We’re fighting for international law. We’re fighting for the UN Charter.”
He said he strongly disagrees with claims that Thailand is neutral in the conflict, arguing that Thailand’s position is on the side of international law and the UN Charter.
Semenov added, however, that Thailand could use its position in the international arena to play a greater global role by pushing for the return of 20,000 Ukrainian children he said had been abducted by Russia — acts described by a UN commission as amounting to a “crime against humanity.”
Ukraine is prepared to compromise, Semenov said, but he stressed that “Russia is determined to continue the war of aggression.” He said Ukraine remains ready to negotiate, but will not give up territory temporarily occupied by Russia or surrender its right to decide whether to join the EU or NATO in the future.
“Why is this position about NATO so concerning to the Russian people?” Semenov said in response to a question from Khaosod English on whether Ukraine would consider giving up its ambition to join NATO or the EU as part of a compromise to end the war. “Of course, it’s our right to choose our alliance.”
A sobering picture of death and destruction
Before presenting the grim figures, Semenov said 600 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory had been “liberated” since January 2026. He also claimed that 1.3 million Russian soldiers had been killed or injured over the past four years.
Russia has made no serious advances on the battlefield, according to Semenov, but continues to attack infrastructure, including Ukrainian railways, which he said had been targeted 1,500 times. Russia also continues to occupy the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, he said.
Semenov said Russia had used 600 Iranian-made drones to attack civilian infrastructure, including a church and a shopping mall.
Among the civilians killed, Semenov noted, are 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches.
He also claimed that 5,000 North Korean troops sent to aid Russia had been killed or injured. He said Ukrainian prisoners of war faced torture, starvation, denial of medical care and beatings for speaking Ukrainian.
Regarding lands now considered hazardous due to unexploded ordnance, Semenov said it now covers around 22 per cent of the country’s territory.
“Ukraine expects a clear international response to put an end to Russian terror,” Semenov said.
