This Systematic Cycle of Attacks on the Energy Infrastructure Must End [EN/RU/UK]

HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR UKRAINE, MATTHIAS SCHMALE, STRONGLY CONDEMNS ANOTHER WAVE OF RUSSIAN ATTACKS ON ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE, KILLING AND INJURING CIVILIANS, AND LEAVING THOUSANDS EXPOSED TO THE HARSH WINTER WITHOUT HEATING AND ELECTRICITY

Since the start of 2026, residents of Ukraine have not experienced respite from the Russian Armed Forces attacks. Overnight, at least one person was reported killed, dozens were injured, and hundreds of thousands are facing electricity, heating and water cuts.

In Kharkiv, a dormitory sheltering displaced people who had fled front-line violence was struck. A hospital and residential homes were damaged.

In Kyiv, thousands of apartment buildings that had been gradually reconnected to essential services following the 9 and 20 January lost access again in sub-zero temperatures. The entire city of Chernihiv and hundreds of thousands of families across the Chernihiv Region were left without electricity.

Heroic repair service crews, civil protection and humanitarian workers continue to repair the damage and to support people in freezing temperatures.

This systematic cycle of attacks on energy infrastructure violates international humanitarian law and must end. Civilians must be safe and warm in their homes and not live in fear of the losses the next round of destruction may bring.

Kyiv, 24 January 2026

For further information, please contact:

Viktoriia Andriievska, OCHA: +380 50 419 63 23, viktoriia.andriievska@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org orwww.reliefweb.int