Assistant Secretary-General for
Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenča's
Remarks at the side event
“Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure of Ukraine against the Attacks of the Russian Federation during the War”
New York, 2 December 2024
Excellencies,
For more than 1,000 days, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law, has brought horrific suffering to the people of Ukraine.
Thousands of civilians, including hundreds of children, have been killed.
Millions remain displaced.
Residential areas, health and educational facilities, ports and cultural sites have been hit by attacks of the Russian Federation.
And as we enter the cold winter season, Russia’s massive attacks continue to lead to further death and destruction across the country.
Since March this year, Russian armed forces have conducted repeated large-scale, systematic and coordinated attacks on energy infrastructure that is critical to the civilian population in Ukraine.
The complex and coordinated nature of the strikes, the number of attacks across the country, and their regular official acknowledgment are indicators that the attacks against the electricity network are of a widespread and systematic nature, with the apparent aim to damage or destroy Ukraine’s country-wide electricity generating, transmission, and distribution capacity.
We note with concern the widespread use of armed uncrewed aerial vehicles and missiles against civilian energy infrastructure.
We are also concerned about reports of the use of cluster munitions, considering the indiscriminate effects of these weapons and the widespread harm to civilians long after conflicts have ended.
As we informed in our last briefings to the Security Council several major attacks have occurred in the past weeks, as winter set in and temperatures dropped below freezing.
On 28 November, nearly 200 missiles and drones targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure reportedly left several people injured and more than a million households without power.
These are just some of the most recent attacks that are adding to the already unbearable toll. More than 60 percent of Ukraine’s energy generation facilities have been damaged, according to UNDP.
The massive destruction risks deteriorating the already dire humanitarian situation in the country and making this winter the harshest so far for the civilian population.
We are particularly concerned about the impact of the extended power cuts on the most vulnerable population, including elderly people, people with disabilities and limited mobility, and those residing in the areas near the front lines.
Sustained donor support remains essential for us to continue delivering life-saving aid to those in need.
The Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale will share more details about the impact of these unacceptable attacks hitting civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, and the United Nations’ response on the ground.
The United Nations strongly condemns all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. These attacks are prohibited under international humanitarian law, regardless of where they occur. They must end immediately.
Excellencies,
In addition to the suffering to the civilian population, the war continues to put Ukraine’s nuclear safety and security at risk.
Any incident involving nuclear facilities – whether intentional or by accident – could lead to catastrophic consequences beyond any state borders.
Following the most recent wave of attacks, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 28 November reported that Ukraine’s three operating nuclear power plants reduced their electricity generation.
While there were no reports of direct damage to the nuclear power plants, the IAEA was informed by the authorities that the strikes impacted electrical substations, which the plants use to transmit and receive off-site power.
Such attacks are dangerous, irresponsible and must not be repeated.
The IAEA will continue to monitor the safety and security in all of Ukraine’s nuclear sites, including at the Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia.
We continue to call for maximum restraint and urge everyone to refrain from any action or rhetoric that could further endanger nuclear safety and security.
Excellencies,
With each passing day of this war, we witness more suffering, death and destruction.
Let me reiterate: all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure must end now.
And this war must end – in a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, in line with the UN Charter, international law and resolutions of the General Assembly.
We stand ready to use our good offices and to make available all our tools and experience to this end.
Thank you.