In recent days, Russia has attacked Ukraine’s energy facilities. After which Ukraine has also alleged that Russian missiles and drones are illegally targeting their energy bases. Ukraine alleges attacks on its energy facilities and power grid have left people in the dark and cold during one of the country’s coldest winters ever.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday, ‘Taking advantage of the coldest days of winter to scare people is more important than diplomacy for Russia.’ Russia says that its attacks are a legitimate part of the military operation. So are attacks on energy installations permitted during war? Let us know what the law says-
What does international law say?
David Crane, former Chief Prosecutor of the United Nations Special Court for Sierra Leone, explained that parties can legally target power grids during a war, but the attack must directly impact a legitimate military target and must not cause significant civilian casualties.
Russia denied violating the law
- The Russian military has repeatedly said it has targeted energy facilities and other infrastructure that support Ukrainian military industry and armed forces.
- Also, Russia has denied targeting residential areas.
- Russia said, ‘Our forces are attacking targets that are linked to military complexes of the Ukrainian government, the operation is ongoing.’
Kyiv’s allegation – Russia wants to break the morale of Ukrainian people
- At the same time, Kiev alleges that Russia wants to break the fighting spirit of the Ukrainian people by imposing huge hardships on the common citizens who are forced to live in dark, cold houses.
- Officials say Russia has tried to paralyze Ukraine’s electricity network by targeting substations, transformers, turbines and generators at power plants.
- Ukraine’s largest private power company, DTEK, said the attack overnight this week was the ninth major attack on the company’s thermal power plant since October.
- According to an estimate by the World Bank, the European Commission and the United Nations, Ukraine’s energy sector has suffered direct losses of more than US$20 billion due to the war.