Russian Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure

Lord Watts Excerpts

Monday 8th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The noble Lord is absolutely right, and we will of course be raising this in every forum we can. I commend the work that our friends and partners in France have led on the safety of Chernobyl; it is disturbing to see these most recent events.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree with me that what has gone on in Palestine weakens the international ability to criticise Russia, and that those people who do not make that case actually make it more likely that we will see more civilian attacks, as we have seen in recent weeks?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I am not sure about that. It is possible and important, and it is our responsibility to call out what Russia is doing in Ukraine: abducting children, targeting infrastructure and carrying out relentless drone attacks on cities. This must be condemned, whatever someone’s views may be on Israel, Palestine and Lebanon. We have discussed this and it is very clear what the Government’s position is on that; it is consistent with the position we take on international humanitarian law in Ukraine and everywhere else. I do not think there is anything that could excuse what is happening in Ukraine and the behaviour of the Russians towards the people of Ukraine. The UK Government will continue to be steadfast in that view.