UN: Russia’s Strikes on Ukraine’s Power Grid and Heating Systems Are War Crimes

Published On 26 Oct 202626 Oct 2026

A United Nations commission has found that Russia’s repeated attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amount to war crimes, accusing Moscow of deliberately using the harsh winter as a weapon against civilians.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine presented its findings in a report submitted to the UN General Assembly on Monday, detailing nearly five years of systematic Russian strikes on heating plants, power lines, gas facilities, and other critical infrastructure since the autumn of 2022.

The report comes amid an escalation in attacks on civilian energy targets as winter approaches. Since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has sought to undermine civilian morale and resilience by disrupting essential services, aiming to erode Ukraine’s capacity to sustain its defense efforts.

The commission investigated the impact of these attacks on civilians and assessed their cumulative effects over time. It concluded that the frequency, intensity, and geographic scope of Russian assaults—often involving hundreds of drones and missiles simultaneously—have increased significantly, causing widespread damage to Ukraine’s energy sector.

A particular focus of the report was the winter of 2025–2026, during which temperatures plummeted to as low as minus 21 degrees Celsius (–5.8 degrees Fahrenheit). The commission found that these coordinated attacks left millions of Ukrainians without access to heating, electricity, water, and gas for extended periods, forcing them to endure life-threatening conditions.

The commission determined that Russian commanders ordering these strikes were fully aware that the targeted facilities were indispensable to civilian survival. It further noted that Russian officials have publicly announced plans for continued attacks, reinforcing the conclusion that such actions were deliberate and calculated.

“Russian authorities have made official declarations regarding further attacks and referred to a plan to carry them out,” the report stated. “The commission concludes that they have committed war crimes by intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects.”

Erik Mose, chair of the commission, emphasized that the resumption of intensified attacks with the onset of cold weather raises grave concerns about civilian safety and health. “As the cold season approaches, the attacks have intensified once again, raising serious concerns about the threats to civilians’ lives and health,” he said.

Meanwhile, hostilities between Russia and Ukraine continue along the front lines. On Monday, a Russian strike on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia injured four people overnight, according to regional governor Mykhailo Semakin via Telegram. In response, Moscow’s Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of targeting the occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine ahead of a planned local ceasefire.

In addition to documenting attacks on energy infrastructure, the UN commission accused Russia of human trafficking in relation to the recruitment of foreign nationals into its military, which it described as a violation of international human rights law. The report cited numerous cases—including from countries like India—where individuals were reportedly deceived into fighting on the front lines. Most of those recruited have since been killed, gone missing, or captured.

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