Russia Intensifies Attacks on Ukraine's Critical Infrastructure Amidst Freezing Winter

Escalation of Strikes Targets Vital Services

Since the start of 2026, and intensifying through late 2025, the Russian Federation has significantly escalated its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine's critical energy and water infrastructure. These systematic assaults have targeted power generation and transmission facilities, water systems, and substations, including those serving nuclear power plants, across multiple Ukrainian regions. Ukrainian officials report that Russia has not spared a single power plant from attack since the full-scale invasion began.

The attacks utilize a range of weaponry, including Shahed-type drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, with some reports indicating the use of advanced weapons like the hypersonic Zircon missile. On the night of January 19 to 20, over 300 Russian drones struck regions including Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, and Odesa. Earlier, between January 8 and 9, Russia reportedly launched 242 drones and 36 missiles.

Widespread Humanitarian Impact and Civilian Casualties

The intensified strikes have led to severe humanitarian consequences, leaving millions of Ukrainians without essential services during freezing winter conditions. In Kyiv alone, over 5,600 apartment buildings were left without heating after a recent attack, affecting approximately 200,000 people in the capital and surrounding districts. Reports indicate that more than 1 million people in Kyiv were without power after attacks on January 20.

Civilian casualties have also risen. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) noted a 31 percent increase in civilian casualties in 2025 compared to 2024, with at least 14,656 civilians killed since February 2022. Recent attacks in January 2026 have resulted in dozens injured and at least two civilians killed in various regions. In December 2025, an attack on port infrastructure in Odesa killed eight civilians and injured 27 others.

The deliberate targeting of electricity and heating systems during sub-zero temperatures is seen as a strategy to increase civilian suffering, a tactic Ukrainian officials refer to as 'weaponizing winter'.

Damage to Energy Grid and International Response

Ukraine's energy infrastructure has sustained significant damage. As of Fall 2025, the country's energy infrastructure was operating at only about one-third of its pre-invasion generation capacity. Since October 2025, Russia has reportedly destroyed 8.5 gigawatts of Ukraine's energy generation capacity, including thermal and hydropower plants, and approximately 60% of Ukraine's gas production ahead of the 2025-2026 winter. The destruction of substations, crucial for electricity transmission, poses a significant challenge, as replacements often require ordering abroad and can take months to deliver.

International bodies have condemned the attacks. The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, described the strikes as 'cruel' and a clear violation of international humanitarian law, urging an immediate halt to such actions. UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary A. DiCarlo also stated that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. The UN and its partners have appealed for $2.3 billion to provide humanitarian assistance to 4.1 million people in Ukraine in 2026.