The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has reported that Russian air strikes on Ukraine’s electricity facilities may violate international humanitarian law. The attacks have caused widespread damage to power plants and infrastructure, leaving Ukrainian cities without power for hours at a time. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Russian officials over the bombing of civilian power infrastructure, while Russia claims that power infrastructure is a legitimate military target.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that 160 million euros will be allocated to meet Ukraine’s urgent humanitarian needs for the winter, as Russia has knocked out a significant portion of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The attacks have also posed risks to Ukraine’s water supply, sewage, sanitation, heating, and public health.
The International Energy Agency has warned that Ukraine’s energy grid will face its toughest test yet this winter, with power outages expected to be between four and 18 hours a day. Russia continues to target energy infrastructure in Ukraine, with multiple regions being attacked overnight, including Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv. Civilian infrastructure has been damaged, with casualties reported in various regions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has completed his “Victory Plan” aimed at bringing peace to the country while remaining strong and avoiding any “frozen conflicts.” The plan will be presented to US President Joe Biden next week at the UN Security Council and General Assembly sessions. Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for peace and reiterated that there is no alternative to ending the war and Russian aggression.
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