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Russia's assault on Ukraine's energy grid is a war crime, UN says
The Kyiv Independent • • world
Key Points:
- The United Nations has classified Russia's repeated attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as a war crime, according to a report from the UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.
- Russian forces have strategically targeted power plants, substations, and gas infrastructure, especially in the lead-up to winter, aiming to deprive civilians of essential heating during freezing temperatures.
- The report highlights that Russian commanders knowingly targeted heating facilities vital to civilian survival, resulting in widespread suffering and power outages during harsh winter conditions.
- Interviews with 255 Ukrainians revealed severe humanitarian impacts, including fear of freezing to death, leading the commission to label these actions as crimes against humanity.
- The UN inquiry concludes that these attacks were intentional and part of a state policy designed to cause civilian hardship by cutting off essential energy supplies.
