New York, Aug. 7 (SANA)– United Nations Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterresexpressed deep concern over the continued escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the rising number of civilian casualties, and damage to infrastructure, stressing that attacks violating international humanitarian law must stop immediately.According to UN News, Guterres strongly condemned, in a statement issued Thursday, the recent large-scale missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, as well as Ukrainian drone attacks on several regions of Russia, which resulted in civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure on both sides.The Secretary-General stressed that the latest attacks came amid continued strikes affecting residential areas, causing further civilian casualties and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and the Russian Federation.Guterres also expressed concern over increasing risks to the safety and security of navigation in the Black Sea andthe Sea of Azov, as well as their possible impact on global food security. He called on all parties concerned to ensure freedom of navigation in accordance with international law and to protect civilian ports and maritime infrastructure.The UN chief renewed his call for urgent de-escalation leading to a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire, and for achieving a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rightsreported last month an increase in civilian casualties during the first six months of the year.The Russia-Ukraine conflicthas continued to involve attacks affecting infrastructure and economic facilities, including ports and grain storage facilities, according to international reports.