Russia plans fresh attacks on Ukraine’s power grid and nuclear networks

This statement was made by Ukraine’s deputy permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Rostyslav Palahusynets at a meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation.

The diplomat stressed that Russia’s attacks, carried out during the coldest period of winter, represent a direct challenge to international efforts aimed at achieving peace. According to him, since the start of the heating season, Russia has launched 256 air attacks against Ukraine’s energy and critical infrastructure sites. Since Jan. 11, these attacks have been occurring almost daily.

Palahusynets emphasized that the Kremlin is deliberately conducting a campaign of destabilization and genocidal pressure against the civilian population. In his assessment, these actions meet the criteria of Article II(c) of the UN Genocide Convention.

The conditions created by the Russian regime, he said, are intended to physically destroy the Ukrainian people by depriving them of heating, water, and electricity amid extreme мороз.

The Ukrainian delegation urged OSCE member states to move beyond expressions of solidarity and take concrete action — to accelerate deliveries of air defense systems, ammunition, and counter-drone and counter-missile capabilities, as well as to intensify political, economic, and legal pressure on Russia.

Ukraine also expressed gratitude to its partners for their support in the energy sector, particularly Poland for the Heat for Kyiv initiative, which raised more than $1 million, as well as Norway, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Austria, and other donor countries.