UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the large-scale missile and drone attacks in Ukraine that left more than 1.5 million Ukrainians without electricity and disrupted water supplies in several areas. He emphasized that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law and must end immediately. The UN’s High Representative of Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, described the targeting of energy infrastructure as unacceptable and appalling, highlighting the devastating impact on the affected regions.
The attacks on critical civilian infrastructure in Ukraine have deepened the already dire humanitarian situation in the country, according to UN agencies on the ground. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown expressed outrage at the magnitude of the Russian Armed Forces’ attacks, emphasizing the need to respect international humanitarian law that safeguards civilians and civilian infrastructure. The UN continues to work with partners to deliver aid to those in need across Ukraine, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict and destruction.
The targeted attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have raised concerns about the potential devastating effects on the civilian population. Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, described the recent attacks as the largest single-day assault on the country’s vital power and water infrastructure in over a year. The widespread destruction caused by the missile and drone attacks underscores the urgent need to protect civilians and critical infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law.
In addition to leaving millions of people without electricity, the attacks also impacted nuclear and water facilities in Ukraine. The country’s largest dam in Zaporizhzhia was damaged but remained stable, while the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost electricity to its last remaining main power line for about five hours. The potential risks posed by these attacks on essential infrastructure highlight the need for immediate action to prevent further escalation of the crisis and to protect the safety and well-being of civilians in Ukraine.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, non-governmental organizations like Angels of Salvation are stepping in to provide support to those affected by the attacks. The NGO reaches out to communities in Dnipro and other areas impacted by the violence, offering assistance and aid to alleviate the suffering of civilians. The international community, including the UN, continues to monitor the situation closely and calls for an immediate end to the attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure in Ukraine. Efforts to uphold international humanitarian law and protect the rights and safety of all individuals in the conflict-affected regions remain a top priority for the UN and its partners.
