UN investigation examining 'devastating' attacks on Ukraine infrastructure

UN-appointed investigators are investigating whether Russia's attack on Ukraine's critical infrastructure amounts to war crimes, one of the inspectors said on Friday (2 December).

Since October, Russia has been battering Ukraine's electricity infrastructure. This has caused blackouts and left millions without heating while temperatures drop.

Russia claims the attacks do not target civilians, but Kyiv insists that such attacks are war crimes.

Pablo de Greiff, speaking from Kyiv, said that "part of the analysis we are engaged in currently... is whether or not the attacks constitute war crimes".

He said that if they did, the team would determine what it could do to contribute to accountability for such crimes.

A three-member commission established by the UN Human Rights Council March in March concluded that Russia had committed war crimes in Ukraine.

Moscow dismisses these accusations regularly as a smear campaign.

Jasminka Dazumhurs, another investigator, stated that the group had been interviewing mothers from Ukraine and was especially concerned about the effects of the attacks against children's rights.

She said that many cannot attend schools that have been destroyed or demolished. Power cuts disrupt online classes.

Erik Mose, chair of the inquiry commission, stated that "these events have devastating implications for a large amount of people". It is obvious that we are investigating this matter.

Members of the team stated that the commission is currently gathering additional evidence, which it will present to the Geneva-based rights committee in March.

The council has previously launched investigations that have led to evidence being used in court before national as well as international courts.

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