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A United Nations commission has classified Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as war crimes and identified Russia’s top leadership as directly responsible for the strikes, according to a report obtained by CNN.
UN names Russian officials responsible
The commission identified Russian President Vladimir Putin, former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, his successor Andrei Belousov and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov as bearing the greatest responsibility for attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.
The report says the strikes were deliberate and consistent with Russian state policy aimed at depriving civilians of essential energy supplies and inflicting suffering.
Russian officers who ordered the attacks knew that heating infrastructure was vital to civilians, particularly during winter, the commission said.
Report documents deaths and injuries from cold
According to the commission, Ukrainian health authorities documented deaths caused by low temperatures in homes and even hospitals following Russian attacks. Last winter, hospitals treated patients for frostbite and hypothermia after they suffered the injuries at home because of a lack of heating.
CNN noted that Russia is expected to continue its attacks ahead of the coming winter. The report cites an August statement by Russia’s Defense Ministry threatening further strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responds
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the findings of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.
“Russia has deliberately turned cold and darkness into weapons against Ukrainian civilians. The goal of this policy is to deprive them of essential energy supplies and inflict suffering,” the ministry said.
It said the findings were particularly important ahead of another winter, reminding the international community that Russia continues to deliberately destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“We cannot allow the lives of millions of people to be put at risk again because of cold and darkness,” the ministry added.
The ministry called for Russia to be held accountable for international crimes committed during the full-scale war and urged the international community to strengthen its support for Ukraine.
