A United Nations commission has declared that Russia’s persistent attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure constitute war crimes, emphasizing the severe humanitarian crisis as winter approaches. The report, submitted to the UN General Assembly, outlines a systematic campaign by Russian forces targeting heating plants, power lines, and gas facilities since the autumn of 2022. These attacks have intensified over the years, particularly during the harsh winter of 2025-2026, leaving millions of Ukrainians without essential services such as heating, electricity, water, and gas.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, responsible for the report, highlighted that the frequency and intensity of these attacks have increased, with hundreds of drones and missiles deployed in systematic waves. The commission’s findings indicate that Russian commanders deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, fully aware of its critical importance to the civilian population. This deliberate targeting, the report concludes, amounts to war crimes as it weaponizes the cold to inflict suffering on Ukrainian citizens.

Erik Mose, chair of the commission, expressed grave concerns about the escalating threats to civilians’ lives and health as the cold season approaches. The report underscores the dire living conditions faced by Ukrainians, particularly during the severe winter of 2025-2026, when temperatures plummeted to minus 21 degrees Celsius (-5.8 degrees Fahrenheit), exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

The UN commission also accused Moscow of human trafficking, citing the recruitment of foreign fighters into the Russian armed forces, which violates international human rights law. The report notes that many of these recruits have been killed, gone missing, or been injured or captured.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine shows little sign of resolution, with both sides continuing daily attacks. A recent Russian strike on Ukraine’s southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia injured four people, according to regional governor Mykhailo Semikin. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defence accused Ukraine of striking the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine, despite plans for a local ceasefire.

The commission’s report is the latest in a series of international responses to Russia’s military strategies in Ukraine, which have been widely criticized for their impact on civilian life. The findings may face pushback from Russian authorities, potentially complicating the narrative and delaying any immediate international response or accountability measures.

As the conflict continues, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains precarious, with millions of civilians struggling to cope with the loss of essential services. The UN’s classification of these attacks as war crimes highlights the urgent need for international intervention to address the humanitarian crisis and hold those responsible accountable.