Attacks On Ukraine’s Electricity Infrastructure Threaten Key Aspects of Life As Winter Approaches – UN Human Rights Monitors Say

The report, based on site visits and interviews with technical experts, energy company representatives, local residents, and government officials, describes the far-reaching impact of these attacks. The destruction of energy infrastructure has compromised essential services, including water distribution, sewage and sanitation systems, heating and hot water, public health, education, and the economy. Vulnerable populations such as older persons, people with disabilities, internally displaced, and lower-income households are particularly affected.

“Electricity is the backbone of modern life in Ukraine. From heating homes and ensuring clean water to powering online education, running businesses, and functioning health services, the destruction of electricity infrastructure affects almost every aspect of daily life”, said HRMMU Head Danielle Bell. “The harm to civilians from these attacks was imminently foreseeable, with millions of civilians affected.”

Widespread attacks across Ukraine

Between 22 March and 31 August, Russian armed forces launched nine waves of coordinated attacks against electricity infrastructure in Ukraine, striking facilities in 20 of the 24 regions under Ukrainian control, including Kyiv. These complex attacks, employing missiles, loitering munitions, and drones, severely damaged key electricity generation facilities, such as thermal, hydroelectric, and solar power plants. The attacks also killed at least eighteen and injured at least 84 civilians in the immediate vicinity of the strikes.

The report highlights that these assaults have destroyed around 9 gigawatts of electricity generation capacity – equivalent to half of what Ukraine requires during winter months. By June, 73 per cent of the country’s thermal power generating units had been rendered inoperative. While the attacks during the 2022-2023 winter mainly targeted electricity transmission facilities, the attacks since March to a much larger extent targeted electricity generation facilities. According to one major energy company cited in the report, the 2024 attacks damaged three times more of its power generation units than in the winter of 2022-2023.

Immediate and foreseeable impact on civilians

The damage has caused rolling power cuts across the country, with some cities experiencing blackouts for 12 hours or more a day during a heat wave over the summer. The report warned that the effects of the attacks will become even more severe in winter when temperatures drop. Experts interviewed by HRMMU predicted winter power outages of between 4 and 18 hours per day. With an estimated 70 per cent of the population living in urban areas, many Ukrainians reside in multi-story buildings.

“Living conditions in high-rise buildings deteriorate rapidly when the power goes out,” said Bell. “Water stops running, heating and light go off, phone and internet communications often disappear. And when elevators stop working, people in high-rise buildings with mobility impairments are effectively trapped in their homes”.

Nearly one million children rely on online education due to security risks from the ongoing conflict. Power outages have severely hampered children’s access to online classes, further isolating them from their peers and teachers and worsening the psychological impact of the war.

The report also warned that additional attacks could exacerbate the situation even further.

“This winter will be bad enough with people likely having to cope with scheduled blackouts across the country,” said Bell. “Any additional attacks leading to prolonged electricity blackouts could have catastrophic consequences.”  

Call for accountability and action

The report concludes that several aspects of the attacks on electricity infrastructure in Ukraine indicate that they violated foundational principles of international humanitarian law, particularly in relation to the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. The destruction of critical energy infrastructure, including objects essential for civilian survival – such as heating facilities during the winter months – breaches principles of international humanitarian law designed to protect civilians.

The report's key recommendations are for the Russian Federation to immediately cease all attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and for the international community to prioritize support to Ukraine to repair and restore its energy systems. Immediate humanitarian aid must focus on those most affected: older persons, people with disabilities, those displaced, and lower-income households.

“The consequences of these attacks are long-term and there are no quick fixes”, Bell said. “National and international partners must work together to fully restore vital electricity infrastructure of Ukraine and ensure those responsible for its damage are held to account.”