Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure could make coming winter harder for civilians

Continued Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure are increasing civilian vulnerability and could make the coming winter even harder to endure, a UN-mandated commission warned Monday.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said Russian forces continued "systematic waves of attacks" on energy infrastructure during the severe winter of 2025-26, when temperatures fell to minus 20C (-4 F).

Power installations, transmission lines, heating facilities and gas infrastructure were damaged or destroyed, leaving millions of civilians facing prolonged power outages and heating shortages. Previous UN monitoring has also documented "systematic" Russian attacks causing extensive disruptions to electricity, heating and water.

"Continued attacks on energy infrastructure are making living conditions increasingly unbearable for civilians, and we are concerned that the coming winter will be more difficult to endure," commission Chair Erik Mose said.

The commission said Ukrainian authorities recorded cold-related deaths and injuries, while some civilians relocated during the coldest months.

It also cited reports of Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure in Russia and Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine that caused civilian casualties and damage to civilian objects, but said it had been unable to investigate the incidents due to a lack of access and information.