OMM Redaksiyası
Continued Russian attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure are increasing civilian vulnerability and could make the coming winter even harder to endure, a UN-mandated commission warned on Monday.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said Russian forces had carried out “systematic waves of attacks” on energy facilities during the severe winter of 2025-26, when temperatures fell to minus 20C.
Millions affected by outages and heating shortages
Power plants, transmission lines, heating facilities and gas infrastructure were damaged or destroyed, leaving millions of civilians facing prolonged electricity outages and shortages of heating.
Previous UN monitoring has also documented what it described as “systematic” Russian attacks that caused extensive disruptions to electricity, heating and water supplies.
“Continued attacks on energy infrastructure are making living conditions increasingly unbearable for civilians, and we are concerned that the coming winter will be more difficult to endure,” commission Chair Erik Mose said.
Cold-related deaths and injuries reported
The commission said Ukrainian authorities had recorded deaths and injuries linked to the cold. Some civilians also relocated during the coldest months.
It cited reports of Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure in Russia and Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine that caused civilian casualties and damage to civilian objects. However, the commission said it had been unable to investigate those incidents because of a lack of access and information.
