Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure a war crime: UN

According to the UN Human Rights Office, the commission found that the attacks were carried out "with intent and pursuant to a state policy to deprive the civilian population of electricity"[2] and other essential services.AP reports that commission chair Erik Mose said the attacks were war crimes because they targeted civilian objects, and crimes against humanity for "inflicting great suffering to civilians."[1] According to AP, the findings drew on the accounts of 255 Ukrainians who endured winter conditions in Kyiv and eight other regions in 2025-26[1].CNN reports that the report says Vladimir Putin made "statements concerning instructions to commit attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure."[3] According to CNN, the report also names Sergei Shoigu, Andrey Belousov and Valery Gerasimov[3] as responsible for planning and overseeing the attacks.Anadolu-linked outlet A News quotes Mose as warning that "as the cold season approaches, the attacks have intensified once again."[4]AP reports that Russia's U.N. Mission said Russia does not recognize the commission's mandate and claimed its findings were based on "falsified data."[1]CNN quotes Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha as saying Russia turned "cold and darkness into instruments of war."[3]According to AP, the inquiry also found that Russia recruited men from 29 countries "through deception or coercion"[1] to fight in Ukraine.