Since 22 March, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been targeted in four waves of attacks, resulting in the deaths of six people, at least 45 injuries, and damage to at least 20 facilities. Just this past Saturday, missile attacks damaged four thermal power plants critical for electricity generation, two of which are located in western Ukraine, far from the frontline. This has severely impacted the country’s ability to provide essential services to its population.
Reports from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have highlighted the damaging effects of these attacks on power and water supplies, which are necessary for the care of children. Head of Mission at HRMMU, Danielle Bell, expressed concern over the civilian deaths caused by the attacks and the jeopardization of essential services such as power generation and rail transport. These attacks have further compounded the risks and harm affecting the civilian population of Ukraine, creating a dire situation for many.
Recent attacks on Ukraine’s railway system have resulted in the deaths of at least 11 civilians and the injury of dozens in regions like Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Cherkasy. The victims of these attacks were railway and power station workers who were either in or near the vicinity at the time of the incidents. Ms. Bell emphasized the importance of the railway system as a key mode of transportation for personal travel and the transport of essential goods, especially given the restrictions on air traffic and limited access to seaports due to the ongoing conflict.
In the past week alone, Ukrainian railway facilities have been targeted in three separate attacks, resulting in the deaths of civilians and injuries. Missile strikes on 25 April killed three railway employees and injured four in Udachne, Donetsk, while several other employees were injured in an attack on a facility in Smila, Cherkasy. In Balakliia, Kharkiv, 11 people were injured in a missile attack that damaged the railway station and a train, with eight more people losing their lives in attacks in Synelnykove and Dnipro. These attacks have not only disrupted rail transportation but have also led to power outages and interruptions to the water supply, affecting millions of people across the country.
The attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, railways, and other critical facilities have had devastating consequences for the civilian population, resulting in loss of life, injuries, and disruptions to essential services. The targeting of power plants and railway stations has not only hindered the country’s ability to generate electricity and transport goods but has also created a humanitarian crisis by impacting the delivery of vital services to children and other vulnerable populations. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to pose significant challenges for the country’s infrastructure and the well-being of its citizens, highlighting the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the situation.
