The United Nations calls on Russia to halt energy strikes in Ukraine
The United Nations on Thursday issued a direct and unequivocal call to Russia to halt its ongoing military attacks on energy facilities and vital infrastructure in Ukraine. The appeal, made by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, followed a series of intense nighttime attacks that plunged entire Ukrainian cities into darkness and deprived thousands of civilians of essential heating services amidst harsh weather conditions.
A blatant violation of international law
Volker Türk confirmed in an official statement that Russian forces launched a large-scale attack targeting energy networks across Ukraine. Türk stated, "Last night, thousands of civilians awoke to find themselves without electricity or heating as a result of these attacks." The High Commissioner emphasized that "targeting civilian infrastructure and facilities indispensable to the survival of the population is categorically prohibited under international humanitarian law," and called on the Russian Federation to immediately cease these military operations, which are exacerbating the suffering of civilians.
The context of the war and winter strategy
These developments come within the context of a military strategy that Russian forces have consistently employed since the outbreak of the war in February 2022, intensifying attacks on power plants and electricity distribution networks as winter approaches. According to international observers, this strategy aims to pressure the Ukrainian leadership and weaken the morale of the population by depriving them of basic necessities during the coldest period of the year. This war, now in its fourth year, is one of the largest humanitarian crises in Europe since World War II, causing the displacement of millions and widespread destruction of infrastructure.
Tensions surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Meanwhile, on the other side of the conflict, Moscow announced that facilities under its control had been attacked by Ukrainian forces. Russian officials reported that Ukrainian strikes had severed one of the power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is controlled by Russian forces in southern Ukraine. The Zaporizhzhia plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and the ongoing fighting around it remains a constant source of concern for the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community, who fear a potential radiological disaster.
The Russian administration of the station stated via the Telegram application that the Ukrainian attack targeted the Energodar industrial area, resulting in damage to vital facilities, while confirming that there was no immediate radiation risk. However, the recurrence of these incidents highlights the fragility of the security situation in the areas surrounding sensitive nuclear facilities.
