War in Ukraine After a Harsh Winter: “Far from abating, the violence is worse than ever”

The United Nations officials are warning that the war continues to bring suffering, death, and continuous disruption into the lives of people living in Ukraine.

“It has been over four years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” said Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo at the UN Security Council meeting on 23 March 2026. “Nearly 1,500 days of death, destruction, and despair.”

From a Harsh Winter into Renewed Strikes on Critical Infrastructure

Millions of Ukrainians have just come through months of cold weather, often with limited electricity and heating due to repeated strikes on energy systems. Now that winter is over, attacks are rising again instead of easing.

Russia is launching more than 5,000 drone strikes each month, along with frequent missile attacks.

Key infrastructure continues to be hit, including energy networks that people rely on to recover after winter, as well as homes, schools, hospitals, and transport systems.

“Military activity near Ukraine's nuclear sites, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, continues with potentially devastating consequences,” continues DiCarlo, mentioning successful repairs of the station's energy supply.

Humanitarian support continues

Since 19 March alone, at least 25 civilians have reportedly been killed and more than 130 injured, including children, particularly in Donetsk, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia.

“The damage builds - quietly but relentlessly - alongside the visible destruction,” said Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher.

Humanitarian workers continue to provide food, cash assistance, medical care, shelter, and protection to people along the front line and after strikes, with local organizations being the backbone of this effort.

“Over a cruel, cold winter, around 100 humanitarian organizations supported more than 1.6 million people,” explained Tom Fletcher.