An independent commission investigating the war in Ukraine has concluded that Russia committed war crimes by deliberately attacking civilian energy sites. Attacks on power stations have intensified again. Investigators said Russian commanders knew that the heating facilities they targeted were essential to civilians, especially in winter.
Temperatures fell to -21°C last winter, and older people faced particular difficulties. Some could not use stairs and were too frightened to take lifts, leaving them unable to reach safety during air raid alerts. They remained in homes without heating, electricity or water, with no access to essential services or medical equipment needed to keep them alive.
The commission also found strong evidence that Russian authorities recruited men trafficked from 29 countries. Trafficking involved deceiving or forcing the men, who then had to sign Russian-language military contracts after arrival. They were sent to front-line positions and given dangerous tasks. Many were killed or disappeared; others surrendered or were captured by Ukrainian forces. Investigators called for all trafficked recruits to be released from military service.
The commission also examined Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure in Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine. However, it could not investigate the effects of strikes inside Russia because Russian authorities refused access and did not answer requests for information.
