Amid relentless and indiscriminate attacks by Russia on Ukraine, an independent United Nations (UN) Commission of Inquiry stated on Monday, October 26, that Russia is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity through intentional attacks on civilian infrastructure, including key energy systems in Ukraine. This is according to a report by CNN.
Russian forces have targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure since the early months of the 2022 war and significantly escalated these attacks early last winter, causing millions of Ukrainians to suffer from cold temperatures and power shortages.
A new report released on Monday by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine confirmed that these attacks were carried out intentionally and in line with Russian state policy, aimed at cutting off essential energy supplies from the civilian population to cause them suffering.
The report, which is being submitted to the UN General Assembly, stated: "Russian commanders ordered these attacks knowing that the heat supply infrastructure they targeted was absolutely essential for civilians, especially in winter."
CNN has also reached out to the Kremlin for comment.
Regarding this issue, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated: "This report confirms what the Ukrainian people have experienced for years: Russia's systematic attacks on civilian energy infrastructure constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity."
In a post on social media platform X, Mr. Sybiha added: "Russia intentionally deprives millions of people of electricity, heat, and water, turning cold and darkness into weapons of war."
According to Kyiv, massive drone and missile attacks by Russia last winter reduced Ukraine's thermal power generation capacity by 70% in the most severely affected regions.
The Commission was established by the UN Human Rights Council just days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Previously, the UN Commission has also issued reports on other aspects of Russia's war against Ukraine, including allegations of sexual and gender-based violence committed by Russian armed forces, as well as cases of Russian authorities forcibly transferring Ukrainian children on a large scale.
