A U.N. commission accused Russia of war crimes over energy infrastructure attacks
The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concluded that Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure constituted war crimes and crimes against humanity, finding they were intended to deprive civilians of essential services and cause suffering. Its report drew on accounts from 255 Ukrainians who endured winter conditions in Kyiv and eight other regions during 2025-26, alongside officials, doctors and civic groups.
More context
The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said Monday that Russia’s systematic attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity, concluding that the campaign sought to cut civilians off from essential services and inflict suffering. The commission reported an increasing frequency, intensity and geographic range of attacks on electricity and heating facilities. It said the strikes were deliberately directed at civilian objects and inflicted great suffering. Commission chair Erik Mose, a former Norwegian judge, said the findings included testimony from 255 Ukrainians who faced winter conditions in Kyiv and eight other regions in 2025-26, as well as information from officials, doctors and civic organizations. The report said power cuts left millions in cold and darkness, including hospital patients without critical equipment. The commission noted Russia’s claim that it targeted energy infrastructure serving military or dual uses.
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Reporting
- TVP World — ‘Like torture’ – Russian attacks on Ukraine energy are ‘war crimes’
- Yeni Şafak — UN panel: Russian attacks on Ukraine energy are crimes against humanity
- The New York Times — Civilian Suffering Was Goal of Russian Strikes in Ukraine, U.N. Panel Says - The New York Times
- The Independent — Russia committed war crimes in Ukraine by attacking its energy grid, UN report finds
- The Register Citizen — Russia committed war crimes in Ukraine by attacking its energy grid, UN-backed inquiry says
- WXOW News 19 — UN panel: Russia is committing crimes against humanity by targeting civilians in Ukraine | | wxow.com
- united24media.com — Russia’s Strikes on Ukraine’s Energy Grid Amount to Crimes Against Humanity, UN Inquiry Finds — UNITED24 Media
Verifier’s note
The New York Times, TVP World, Yeni Şafak, The Independent, Register Citizen, WXOW carrying CNN Newsource coverage, and UNITED24 Media report that a U.N. inquiry found Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure deliberately inflicted civilian suffering and amounted to serious international crimes. These reports concern the current event, not an older development.