UN accuses Russia of crimes against humanity in Ukraine
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Egypt Independent
A UN commission of inquiry says Russian strikes on civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Its report says the attacks, carried out with knowledge of their consequences for civilians, are part of a policy aimed at depriving the population of heating and electricity, according to the commission.
An independent UN commission of inquiry has accused Russia of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity by deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, particularly energy facilities, in Ukraine. In a report published on Monday and submitted to the United Nations General Assembly, it said the attacks were part of a policy aimed at depriving the population of energy and inflicting suffering on it, according to CNN.
The investigators said Russian commanders knew that the heating facilities targeted were essential for civilians, particularly in winter. Attacks on Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure began in the first months of the 2022 invasion and intensified at the start of the previous winter, according to the report.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, welcomed findings that, he said, confirmed the crimes suffered by Ukrainians. Russia’s Permanent Mission to the UN rejected the report, calling its data “fabricated” and challenging the commission’s mandate.
Russian drone and missile strikes last winter reduced thermal electricity generation capacity by 70% in the worst-affected regions, according to Ukrainian authorities. The UN had also described Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as a crime against humanity.
