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UN-backed inquiry says Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy grid are war crimes

Report cites strikes on heating and power during winter 2025–2026; Russia rejects the findings as based on falsified data.

Updated Oct 27, 2026 · 00:24 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • A UN-backed commission report submitted to the General Assembly says Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since autumn 2022 are war crimes.[Al Jazeera]
  • The report focuses on the winter of 2025–2026, when temperatures fell to minus 21 degrees Celsius.[Al Jazeera]
  • The commission also says men from 29 countries were recruited into Russia's armed forces through deception or coercion; Russia rejects the findings as based on falsified data.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]
  • Russia says its forces strike only military targets and does not recognize the commission's mandate, so the findings remain contested.[Associated Press]

Key facts

  • A UN-backed commission report says Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure constitute war crimes.[Al Jazeera]
  • The report was submitted to the UN General Assembly and covers attacks on heating, power, and gas infrastructure since autumn 2022.[Al Jazeera]
  • The report focuses on the winter of 2025–2026, when temperatures dropped to minus 21 degrees Celsius.[Al Jazeera]
  • Commission chair Erik Mose said attacks have intensified as the cold season approaches, raising concerns about civilians' lives and health.[Al Jazeera]
  • A Russian strike injured four people overnight in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, according to regional governor Mykhailo Semikin.[Al Jazeera]
  • The inquiry found evidence that men from 29 countries were recruited into Russia's armed forces through deception or coercion.[Associated Press]
  • Russia's UN mission says it does not recognize the commission's mandate and calls the findings based on falsified data.[Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • Russia rejects the findings and calls them based on falsified data; the findings remain disputed.[Associated Press]
  • Russia maintains its forces strike only military or military-related targets, a position the AP report says conflicts with other reports and evidence.[Associated Press]
  • Moscow's Ministry of Defence accused Ukraine of repeatedly striking the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky; this accusation is attributed to Moscow and no independent verification is reported.[Al Jazeera]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.