The independent international commission of the UN investigating the situation in Ukraine has declared that the strikes by the Russian military on Ukraine's energy infrastructure constitute crimes against humanity. This decision follows a prolonged analysis of systematic attacks on energy facilities throughout the full-scale war.
Systematic Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
Since the onset of the war, which began in 2022, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy facilities. These attacks have become more frequent and intense, particularly during the winter months when temperatures dropped to -21 degrees Celsius. As a result of these actions, millions of Ukrainians faced severe disruptions in the supply of heating, electricity, water, and gas.
Impact on the Civilian Population
Prolonged disruptions in utility services have had catastrophic effects on the physical and mental health of the population. People have been forced to live in unbearable conditions, leading to:
- deterioration of physical health due to the cold;
- psychological trauma from constant stress;
- decreased quality of life due to the lack of basic services.
These factors have significantly affected the quality of life for Ukrainians trying to survive in wartime conditions.