A United Nations-backed commission has concluded that Russia committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine by deliberately targeting the country’s energy infrastructure, leaving millions of civilians without electricity and heat during freezing winter conditions.
The findings were presented on Monday by the independent commission of inquiry, which was established by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The commission’s latest report, delivered to the UN General Assembly’s human rights committee, focuses specifically on the impact of Russia’s sustained attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid.
According to the commission, Russian forces intentionally directed missile and drone strikes at civilian energy facilities, including power plants and heating stations, fully aware that these were essential for the survival of the civilian population. The inquiry’s chair, Erik Mose, stated at a UN news conference that these attacks constituted war crimes because they targeted civilian objects and amounted to crimes against humanity due to the “great suffering” inflicted on the population.
Mose, a former Norwegian judge, highlighted that the intensification of such attacks as winter approaches raises serious concerns for the safety and well-being of civilians in affected areas. The commission’s report documents how millions of Ukrainians were left without access to basic utilities, exposing them to life-threatening conditions during the coldest months of the year.
Visual evidence and eyewitness accounts included in the report describe widespread destruction in Ukrainian cities, with residential buildings and neighborhoods suffering severe damage from Russian missile strikes. Images from Kyiv show residents surveying the aftermath of attacks, including craters in residential areas and families displaced from their homes.
The commission emphasized that Russian military commanders knew the critical role of the targeted infrastructure and the consequences for civilians, particularly during winter. The report asserts that the deliberate nature of these attacks, and their scale, distinguish them from collateral damage typically associated with military operations.
The independent commission was mandated to investigate violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Ukraine. Its latest findings are the first to focus in depth on the consequences of Russia’s campaign against the energy grid, which escalated after the initial months of the invasion.
The inquiry’s conclusions add to mounting international condemnation of Russia’s conduct in Ukraine. While the commission does not have prosecutorial powers, its findings may inform future proceedings at international courts or tribunals. The report also calls on the international community to take further action to protect civilians and hold those responsible to account.
Why it matters
The commission’s findings underscore the severe humanitarian impact of targeting civilian infrastructure in wartime. By striking Ukraine’s energy grid, Russian forces deprived millions of people of heat and electricity, exposing them to extreme hardship and endangering lives, especially during winter. The report’s documentation of intentional attacks on civilian objects is a significant addition to the body of evidence on alleged Russian war crimes, according to commission chair Erik Mose.
This development comes as hostilities continue and as Ukraine braces for another winter under threat of renewed attacks on its critical infrastructure. The commission’s focus on the deliberate nature of these strikes highlights the evolving tactics in the conflict and the risks faced by civilians. Images and testimonies from Kyiv and other cities, as cited in the report, illustrate the ongoing vulnerability of Ukrainian communities.
The inquiry’s conclusions are likely to influence international debates on accountability and humanitarian protection in armed conflict. While the commission itself cannot prosecute, its findings may be used by other bodies, such as the International Criminal Court, to pursue justice for victims and deter future violations. The attention to civilian suffering and infrastructure destruction also reinforces calls for increased international support to help Ukraine maintain essential services during wartime.
The image accompanying this article is an AI-generated illustrative depiction inspired by the actual scene of the event.
