The United Nations Security Council is set to meet on Friday, a day after Russia announced it would not ask the council to vote on its draft resolution on humanitarian relief for Ukraine, which had been criticized for making no mention of Moscow's invasion of its neighbour.

Russia instead plans to use the meeting to raise allegations again that the U.S. has biological warfare laboratories in Ukraine, claims Washington has pushed back against as disinformation and part of a "false-flag operation." Diplomats from Russia have so far yet to produce any evidence to support its claim.

The meeting comes a day after UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the council Thursday that more than 700 civilians - including 52 children - have been killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded three weeks ago, but the "actual number is likely much higher."

"Most of these casualties were caused by the use in populated areas of explosive weapons with a wide impact area. Hundreds of residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed, as have hospitals and schools," DiCarlo said.

She told the 15-member council that the UN human rights agency has recorded 726 deaths, including 52 children, and 1,174 people injured, including 63 children, between Feb. 24 and March 15. DiCarlo did not specify who was to blame.

Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Moscow of attacking civilians. Russia has called its military actions in Ukraine a "special operation" and denies attacking civilians, saying it is targeting Ukraine's military infrastructure.

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