OVERNIGHT DEADLY ATTACKS KILLED CIVILIANS, INJURED CHILDREN AND DISRUPTED VITAL SERVICES IN UKRAINE

On the night of 19 November, a new wave of deadly attacks by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation claimed at least 20 civilian lives and left over a hundred more injured—including children. Homes and critical civilian infrastructure were heavily damaged across the country, including health and educational facilities.

From Kharkiv in the east to Ternopil and the Ivano-Frankivsk Region in the west, families have lost loved ones, suffered injuries and seen their homes destroyed. Reports indicate that at least a dozen children were among the wounded. Their suffering is unconscionable.

The strikes also damaged energy infrastructure, causing emergency power outages and worsening the effects of previous attacks. With temperatures dropping below zero in parts of Ukraine, these disruptions put millions at grave risk.

This relentless harm to civilians and destruction of essential civilian infrastructure is unacceptable. International humanitarian law clearly prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian objects vital for their survival.

All measures should be taken to protect them. They should never be a target.