UN calls Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure 'form of terror'
According to Ukrinform, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale said this at a press conference in Geneva, APA reports.
"This clearly impacts the civilian population and is a form of terror," Schmale stated.
He noted that the UN's Winter Response Plan, which aims to provide heating and financial support to more than 1.7 million people, is currently only half funded.
Schmale also emphasized that life for civilians near the front line is increasingly becoming a "major crisis," and the number of civilian casualties has risen by 30% compared to last year. According to him, one-third of this year's civilian deaths and injuries resulted from drone attacks.
Schmale stated that beyond the terror of war, sirens, and attacks, it is increasingly also a struggle for survival.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expects that Russia's war against Ukraine will continue into 2026.
He also stressed that despite war fatigue, Ukrainians show extraordinary resilience, but that resilience should not be romanticized.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, in July the UN and humanitarian partners presented the Ukraine Winter Response Plan, which seeks to raise $277.7 million to provide essential aid and services to 1.7 million of Ukraine’s most vulnerable citizens.
