Matthias Schmale was “appalled” by the attacks in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Kyiv, noting that many more people in several regions – including Dnipro, Odesa and Vinnitsya – are facing power outages.
“Systematic attacks by the Russian Federation Armed Forces on critical infrastructure affect the daily lives of millions and cause life-threatening conditions for the most vulnerable, including older people and children,” he said in a statement posted on social media.
He recalled that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Keeping families warm
In the face of the “incessant attacks” on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the UN children’s agency (UNICEF) is scaling up efforts to help keep critical services running amid freezing temperatures.
Since November, UNICEF has delivered 106 mid- and large-capacity generators across the country to support water utilities and district heating companies.
An additional 149 generators will be released over the coming weeks to further boost operations and strengthen back-up power solutions.
“Across the country, vital services for children and families are strained and parents are struggling to keep their children warm, prepare hot food, and access regular running water,” said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine.
“These generators will help the brave technicians on the ground to keep systems running to keep the heating on, hospitals open and water flowing.”
Miners killed in drone attack
Meanwhile, UN human rights monitors confirmed that a Russian drone attack on Sunday in the Dnipropetrovsk region near the frontline in eastern Ukraine killed and injured coal mine workers commuting home after completing their shift.
The attack occurred in the city of Ternivka, and 12 civilians were killed and 16 wounded, according to local authorities.
“This incident highlights the dangers civilians face when hostilities extend into areas of everyday life, even well beyond the active fighting zone,” said Danielle Bell, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).
Deadly explosion
The mine employees were travelling by bus on a regular commuter route through Ternivka, approximately 65 kilometres from the frontline, when multiple Russian drones struck the road near the vehicle over several minutes.
The bus windows were blown out in the explosion, killing and injuring passengers. Other civilians driving nearby, as well as people who rushed to help, were also reportedly among the casualties.
Simply trying to return home
UN rights monitors visited the scene on Monday and interviewed witnesses. They observed two craters, in front of and behind the destroyed bus, along with remnants of the drones used in the attack.
One of the injured coal miners described climbing out of a bus window after the first explosion. He heard screams from inside the bus, and then a second explosion shortly afterwards.
He told the UN team that “this is all wrong” adding that “we are ordinary coal mine workers. People were simply returning to their homes, to their families.”
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