Ukraine's UN ambassador Serhiy Kyslytsia accused Russia of "taking out defeat on the battlefield on peaceful residents of Ukrainian cities".
- The world has once again seen the true face of the terrorist state that is killing our people.
The Russian delegation leaves a trail of blood behind when it enters the General Assembly, he said, continuing:
- We have tolerated this for too long in Syria and it is happening today in Ukraine.
"Sabotage, acts of terrorism and murder"
Russia's UN ambassador Vasiliy Nebenzia accused the West of inciting Kyiv to "fight to the last Ukrainian" instead of calling for peaceful solutions.
Furthermore, he emphasized that "the sabotage on the Crimean bridge is proof of how far the regime in Kyiv can go".
- We warned that this and similar actions would have consequences.
By committing sabotage, acts of terrorism and murder of disaffected officials and politicians, the Kiev regime has equated itself with the world's most odious terrorist organizations, Nebenzia said.
It was on Saturday that a fire broke out after an explosion on the 19-kilometer road and rail bridge that connects the Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland.
Since then, parts of the strategically important bridge have collapsed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Monday's robot attacks were a response to the blowing up of the bridge, which he calls a "terrorist act" from the Ukrainian side.
During the meeting - which lasts for several days - the UN's 193 member states will take a position on a resolution that is currently being prepared on the annexation, after Russia last week vetoed a condemnation in the Security Council.