“The systematic attacks by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on critical infrastructure affect the daily lives of millions and They cause life-threatening conditions for the most vulnerable, including the elderly and children.“he said in a statement posted on social media.
He recalled that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Keep families warm
In the face of “relentless attacks” on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF) is stepping up its efforts to help keep critical services running amid frigid temperatures.
Since November, UNICEF has delivered 106 medium and large capacity generators across the country to support water and district heating service companies.
An additional 149 generators will be launched in the coming weeks to further boost operations and strengthen backup power solutions.
“Across the country, vital services for children and families are stretched to the limit and parents are struggling to keep their children warm, prepare hot meals and access running water,” said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine.
“These generators will help the brave technicians on the ground keep the systems running. to keep the heat on, the hospitals open and the water flowing.”
Miners killed in drone attack
Meanwhile, UN human rights monitors confirmed that a Russian drone strike on Sunday in the Dnipropetrovsk region, near the front line in eastern Ukraine, killed and injured coal mine workers returning home after completing their shift.
The attack occurred in the town of Ternivka and 12 civilians were killed and 16 wounded, according to local authorities.
“This incident highlights the dangers civilians face when hostilities spill over into areas of everyday life, including well beyond the active combat zone,” said Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).
deadly explosion
The mine employees were traveling by bus on a regular route through Ternivka, approximately 65 kilometers from the front line, when several Russian drones attacked the road near the vehicle for several minutes.
The bus’s windows were blown out in the explosion, killing and injuring passengers. The victims also reportedly included other civilians driving nearby, as well as people who rushed to help.
Just trying to get home
UN human rights monitors visited the site on Monday and interviewed witnesses. They observed two craters, in front and behind the destroyed bus, along with remains of the drones used in the attack.
One of the injured coal miners described how he jumped out of a bus window after the first explosion. He heard screams from inside the bus and shortly afterward a second explosion.
He told the UN team that “this is all wrong,” adding that “we are ordinary coal mine workers. People were just going back to their homes, to their families.”