Image: PBS
World – According to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, Russian authorities have committed war crimes by deliberately attacking civilian objects in a sustained campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In a report submitted to the UN General Assembly, the Commission also found the attacks amounted to crimes against humanity.
The investigation examined the strikes’ effects on civilians since autumn 2022, focusing on last winter. When temperatures fell to minus 21°C, millions of Ukrainians went without heating, electricity, water and gas for long periods.
“As the cold season approaches, the attacks have intensified once again, raising serious concerns about the threats to civilians’ lives and health,” said Erik Møse, Chair of the Commission.
Attacks Carried Out Under State Policy
The Commission found that Russian commanders knew the heating facilities they targeted in large cities were indispensable to civilians in winter. It concluded the attacks were part of a state policy to deprive people of vital services and cause suffering.
The findings are based on accounts from 255 people across nine oblasts. Older people and those with limited mobility suffered most, as many could not risk using lifts to reach shelter during air raids and stayed in unheated homes without power, water or medical support.
“I lay cold and hungry, without medicine, without anything,” said a 74-year-old woman from Kyiv.
Foreign Men Trafficked Into Russian Forces
The Commission said it had compelling evidence that Russian authorities trafficked men from 29 countries into the armed forces, in violation of international human rights law. Agents posing as legitimate, government-backed businesses recruited the men while working closely with Russian officials.
The agents arranged visas and travel and sometimes accompanied the groups. Shortly after arriving, the men were made to sign Ministry of Defence contracts written entirely in Russian.
“They took his passport and just told him to sign here, here and here on the contract. It was only in Russian. He was totally pressured and had no choice,” said the wife of a man recruited from the Caribbean.
Many were sent to the front line, where some have been killed or gone missing, and others have surrendered or been captured. The Commission called for attacks on civilians to stop and for all trafficked men to be discharged from the Russian armed forces.
