A UN Commission Has Accused Russia Of Crimes Against Humanity For Its Attacks On Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure

Putin, Shoigu, and Gerasimov are responsible.

An independent international UN commission investigating violations in Ukraine has determined that Russia deliberately attacked Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure—in particular, energy facilities—which constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The commission identified Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, his successor Andrei Belousov, and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov as the main perpetrators of the attacks, according to CNN.

In a new report by the commission, which was obtained by CNN and is yet to be presented to the UN General Assembly, it is noted that these attacks were deliberate and consistent with Russia’s state policy aimed at depriving the civilian population of essential energy resources and causing suffering.

“Russian commanders who ordered these attacks knew that the heating facilities they targeted were vital to the civilian population, especially in winter,” the report states.

In the new report, the commission describes the consequences of prolonged exposure to the cold for Ukrainians. According to its data, Ukrainian medical authorities have recorded deaths due to low temperatures in homes and even in hospitals.

Medical professionals reported that last winter, patients were admitted to hospitals with frostbite of varying severity and hypothermia. They sustained these injuries at home due to a lack of heating.

The report also includes the testimony of a woman from Dnipro, who spoke about the consequences of Russian attacks.

“The cold—it paralyzes you. There’s simply no way to stay warm, and terrible thoughts start creeping into your head,” she said.

The report names several high-ranking Russian officials whom the commission considers most responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In particular, the report notes that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin made statements containing instructions regarding attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

In addition, the commission asserts that evidence gathered in recent years points to the responsibility of former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, his successor Andrei Belousov, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov for planning and organizing these strikes.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in connection with the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, and in June 2025—arrest warrants for former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov in connection with strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

CNN notes that, as the cold season approaches, Russia has made it clear that it intends to continue its attacks. The report cites a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense, released in August, which referred to strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. It also contained a threat: “You will freeze this winter.”

In the second part of the report, the UN commission points to evidence that Russia has recruited foreigners from 29 countries into its army through deception or coercion. The aggressor state violated the fundamental rights of the recruited foreigners, which constitutes human trafficking.

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