Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Infrastructure Raise Concerns for Civilian Safety
KYIV — An escalation in civilian casualties resulting from intensified assaults by the Russian armed forces on Ukraine’s electric power infrastructure and railway system has raised alarms, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).
Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
Since March 22, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been targeted in four waves of attacks, resulting in the deaths of six people, with at least 45 injuries and damage to at least 20 facilities.
Just this past Saturday, missile strikes damaged four critical thermal power plants responsible for electricity generation, two of which are located in western Ukraine, far from the frontlines.
Impact on Essential Services
Prior reports from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have highlighted the repercussions of these attacks on power and water supplies, disrupting vital services crucial for children’s well-being.
Danielle Bell, Head of Mission at HRMMU, expressed concern, stating, “These attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and pose a threat to essential services such as power generation and rail transport, further endangering the civilian population of Ukraine.”
Targeting the Railway System
Recent attacks on Ukraine’s railway system have led to the deaths of at least 11 civilians and numerous injuries in regions like Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Cherkasy, with victims including railway and power station workers.
“Attacks on the railway system jeopardize a vital mode of transportation relied upon by the Ukrainian people for personal travel and the transport of essential goods, particularly as air traffic is restricted and access to seaports is limited,” Bell emphasized.
Recent Attacks and Casualties
Within the past week, Ukrainian railway facilities have been targeted in three separate attacks, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. On April 25, a missile strike in Donetsk killed three railway employees and injured four in Udachne.
On the same day, a missile attack in Smila, Cherkasy, injured several railway employees. In Balakliia, Kharkiv, an attack wounded 11 people and damaged the railway station and a train.
Additional casualties were reported in Synelnykove and Dnipro due to railway attacks.
Humanitarian Impact
HRMMU highlighted the frequent power outages following attacks on energy infrastructure, affecting millions of people across Ukraine and leading to disruptions in water supply.
The targeting of critical infrastructure has not only resulted in civilian casualties but has also exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. — UN News
