Attacks on infrastructure: Zelenskyj calls for tough UN response

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has described Russia’s attacks on his country’s infrastructure as a “crime against humanity”. He called on the UN to respond decisively.

In the face of severe Russian rocket attacks on his country’s energy infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a “very decisive reaction” from the United Nations. Russia must be clearly described as a terrorist state, Zelenskyj demanded before the UN Security Council. He was connected via video to the meeting, which had been called at short notice at the request of Ukraine.

The attacks on the critical infrastructure, which led to widespread power failures, are “crimes against humanity,” Zelenskyj said in his video address. “We cannot be held hostage by an international terrorist,” he said. The UN Security Council must act. In view of its actions, Russia must be excluded from voting in the panel. As a permanent member, Russia has a right of veto in the Security Council and can thus prevent any resolution. Therefore, the board is not expected to take any action.

Millions of Ukrainians without electricity

Zelenskyj invited teams of experts from the United Nations to examine and assess Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and the damage caused. According to the government in Kyiv, millions of people have been cut off from electricity as a result of the recent Russian attacks. However, the authorities in Kyiv reported progress with the repairs in the evening. In 15 administrative areas there is electricity again, said the deputy head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko.

The UN High Commissioner for Political Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, had strongly condemned the attacks on critical infrastructure. These are prohibited under international human rights law and those responsible must be held accountable if they are violated. French President Emmanuel Macron described the Russian attacks on Ukraine’s electricity and water supply in the evening as war crimes that should have consequences. “Any strike against civilian infrastructure constitutes a war crime and must not go unpunished,” Macron said.