- Civilian death toll increased significantly in recent months
- Unlawful renewed attacks on infrastructure ahead of winter
Russia’s increased targeted attacks on energy and heating infrastructure risks creating a new humanitarian catastrophe for civilians ahead of winter, Amnesty International warned today.
The civilian death toll during Russia’s full-scale illegal invasion has increased significantly in recent months, with October 2026 expected to be one of the deadliest periods for civilians in years.
Based on prior Russian military attacks in the approach to previous winters, there is overwhelming evidence that the deliberate targeting of energy and heating infrastructure intended to cause civilian suffering will result in immense harm. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has indicted Russia’s Lieutenant General Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash and Admiral Viktor Nikolayevich Sokolov on charges of war crimes for allegedly directing attacks on Ukrainian electrical infrastructure.
“The Russian Federation is once again implementing a large-scale campaign against Ukrainian energy and heating infrastructure ahead of a freezing winter, including attacks far from the front lines of conflict,” said Scott Edwards, Director of Amnesty International’s Crisis Response Program.
“These attacks on essential infrastructure are creating a deadly situation for civilians, who directly suffer the consequences. This is an illegal campaign, carried out with flagrant disregard for the rules of war, and appears to be designed to create unlivable conditions for Ukrainian civilians.
“Whatever the motives behind the Kremlin’s plan to make life unbearable for civilians, it is criminal and cannot be tolerated. World leaders seeking to end this conflict must immediately use their leverage to minimize any potential harm to civilians, before another intentional humanitarian catastrophe begins with the arrival of winter.”
On October 26, the International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine reported that Russia had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine by intentionally attacking energy infrastructure, leaving millions of people without electricity and heat in freezing temperatures.
Amnesty International has previously documented how Russia’s widespread attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure may constitute war crimes and highlighted their life-threatening consequences for the civilian population.
Civilian casualties and widespread power cuts
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine found that at least 328 civilians were killed and 2,105 injured in September 2026 as a result of Russian attacks, an 85% increase over September 2025. Casualties were recorded in 22 of 24 regions in Ukraine. The Mission also described the first half of October 2026 as one of the deadliest periods for civilians in years.
On October 13 and 14, strikes reportedly hit multiple energy installations, including Kyiv’s three principal power stations, temporarily leaving approximately 600,000 people without electricity. On October 17, further Russian attacks reportedly killed at least eight people, injured 60 and interrupted electricity supplies to more than one million people across nine regions.
Both the Russian Ministry of Defence and President Vladimir Putin have made public statements announcing intentional attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Prior attacks on energy and heating infrastructure in Ukraine caused widespread and widely reported civilian suffering that is known to Russian military and strategic planners.
During the winter of 2025–2026, the Russian Armed Forces carried out at least 423 attacks on electricity infrastructure and 74 strikes on heating facilities, according to UN monitoring. These attacks caused rolling outages affecting millions of people and interrupted heating for hundreds of thousands as temperatures fell below -20°C. The resulting loss of electricity, water and heating disrupted healthcare and education, and also disproportionately harmed older people, persons with disabilities, women and families with children.
Under international humanitarian law, electricity and heating installations are civilian objects unless and for such time as they meet the strict definition of a military objective. Even where an installation constitutes a military objective, attacking forces must comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, launching indiscriminate attacks, or carrying out attacks expected to cause excessive civilian harm in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated can constitute war crimes.
Ensuring accountability for such crimes requires strong and independent international justice mechanisms capable of investigating and prosecuting those responsible, including the most senior officials.
Meanwhile, the US administration is currently engaged in a campaign to dismantle the work of the ICC. Amnesty International has called for all relevant states to take appropriate measures to resist this attack and actively protect the Court and the broader international justice system. President Vladimir Putin is wanted on charges of war crimes by the ICC, and Amnesty International has called for President Putin to be arrested and surrendered to the ICC by any parties in a position to do so.
Calls to Russian authorities
Amnesty International is calling on Russian forces to end their systematic attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The Russian authorities must also immediately end other violations of international humanitarian law, including attacks on other civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, such as residential buildings, hospitals, and schools, and end its campaign of targeting non-combatants.
All parties to the conflict must respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution and protect civilians and civilian objects. States supporting accountability mechanisms must provide the expertise and resources needed to effectively investigate allegations of violations, secure evidence, and identify suspected perpetrators, including commanders and senior officials who may bear responsibility. All states must urgently act to protect the functioning of the ICC and should execute arrest warrants when and where they can.
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