The United Nations-backed inquiry has concluded that Russia’s deliberate assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The investigation, as reported by the Press Trust of India, highlights the severe consequences of these attacks, which have left millions without electricity and heating during harsh winter conditions.

The independent commission of inquiry was sanctioned by the UN Human Rights Council shortly after Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This report, presented to the UN General Assembly’s human rights committee on Monday, is the first of its kind to focus specifically on the ramifications of Russia’s extensive attacks on Ukraine’s energy systems.

The commission’s findings indicate that the power outages have forced countless civilians to endure dark and freezing winters, significantly impacting their daily lives and safety. Commission chair Erik Mose, speaking via video at a UN news conference, stated that these attacks were intentionally directed at civilian facilities, thereby constituting war crimes. He emphasised that such actions inflicted significant suffering on the civilian population, which further aligns with the definition of crimes against humanity.

Impact on Civilians and Infra

The report details the dire circumstances faced by civilians, particularly the elderly, who were left without essential services such as lifts to reach shelters during missile and drone strikes. Additionally, patients in hospitals were deprived of critical life-support systems due to power cuts. The commission’s findings were based on testimonies from 255 Ukrainians who experienced winter conditions in Kyiv and eight other regions during 2025-26.

It is along with information gathered from government officials, medical personnel, and civic organisations. Mose expressed serious concerns regarding the escalating attacks as winter approached, indicating a heightened threat to civilian safety and well-being. The commission noted that Russia had not provided any responses to inquiries regarding the report, including the latest findings, as reported by Press Trust of India.

In response, Russia’s mission to the UN stated that it did not acknowledge the commission’s mandate and dismissed the findings as based on “falsified data.” Throughout the conflict, Russian officials have consistently asserted that their military operations target only military or military-related objectives, despite substantial evidence to the contrary.

Recruitment of Foreign Nationals

The commission’s report also uncovered evidence of Russia’s recruitment of men from 29 countries, including India, into its armed forces through deceptive or coercive means. This practice allegedly violates international law. The inquiry revealed that agents operating in various countries presented themselves as legitimate businesses, often endorsed by governments, to recruit individuals.

These agents facilitated visa arrangements and sometimes accompanied recruits to Russia. Upon arrival, the recruits were reportedly coerced into signing documents in Russian, which they did not comprehend. The commission noted that many were shocked to find themselves enlisted in the Russian military.

The investigation encompassed the recruitment of nationals from 48 countries, with evidence indicating that men from countries such as Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, and Brazil were among those targeted. The commission’s findings underscore the troubling nature of these recruitment tactics, which allegedly involved deception and coercion.

In conclusion, the UN-backed inquiry has determined that Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have led to significant civilian suffering, constituting both war crimes and crimes against humanity. Furthermore, the report documents the alleged coercive recruitment of individuals from 29 countries into the Russian military, raising serious concerns about the legality and morality of such practices.

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