UK Strongly Condemns Russia's Escalating Attacks on Ukrainian Civilians and Critical Infrastructure

UK Reiterates Strong Condemnation of Russian Aggression

The United Kingdom has issued a forceful condemnation of the Russian Federation's ongoing and escalating attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. In recent statements to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), UK officials have underscored the unlawful nature of these actions and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. On February 11, 2026, UK Counsellor Ankur Narayan highlighted reports from the United Nations and OSCE detailing Russia's intensified attacks, including the widespread use of First-Person View (FPV) drones and missile strikes. These actions, Narayan stated, constitute clear violations of international humanitarian law.

Further condemnations came on February 12, 2026, from Ambassador Neil Holland, who rejected Russia's claims regarding the OSCE and emphasized that Russia's aggression and disregard for commitments undermine the organization's principles. Deputy Ambassador James Ford on February 5, 2026, and Lt Col Joby Rimmer on February 4, 2026, also condemned Russia's mass strikes on energy infrastructure during severe winter temperatures, asserting that such attacks demonstrate Russia's choice of 'destruction over peace'.

Escalation of Attacks and Devastating Impact

Recent reports indicate a significant escalation in the intensity and targeting of Russian attacks. Russia is now launching an average of over 180 missiles at Ukraine per month, primarily targeting energy and critical infrastructure. The impact on civilians has been severe, particularly during the harsh winter months. Notable incidents include:

• A massive combined attack on February 2-3, 2026, involving drones and over 70 missiles, struck eight Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, and energy facilities. This left hundreds of thousands without heating as temperatures plummeted to -24 degrees Celsius.
• On February 1, 2026, a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia was hit, injuring six people, and a bus carrying civilians in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast was struck, killing 15 and wounding 17.
• Widespread attacks on February 12, 2026, targeted energy infrastructure in cities like Kyiv and Dnipro, causing outages of power, heating, and water. One DTEK thermal power plant sustained extensive damage.
• On February 11, 2026, hostilities across the country resulted in nine civilian deaths and over 45 injuries, including children, with Donetsk, Dnipro, Sumy, and Kherson regions being among the hardest hit. A hospital and pre-school in Zaporizhzhia were damaged, leaving thousands without heating.
• A Russian drone strike on February 11, 2026, in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv region, tragically killed a father and his three young children.
• On February 10, 2026, 125 Russian drones attacked the Odesa region, with 95,000 people reportedly losing electricity despite Ukrainian defense efforts.
• A missile strike on an apartment building in Ternopil on November 19, 2025, killed 38 civilians.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported that civilian casualties from January to October 2025 were 27 percent higher than the same period in the previous year, exceeding the total for all of 2024. By December 31, 2025, the OHCHR recorded 55,600 civilian casualties in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, including 14,999 killed and 40,601 injured, noting that the true figures are likely higher. The use of FPV drones and short-range loitering munitions has been identified as a leading cause of civilian casualties near the frontline.

International Law and UK Support

The UK consistently highlights that Russia's targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure violates fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, including distinction and proportionality. These attacks are causing widespread outages of essential services, leaving residents without heat, electricity, and running water during severe winter conditions, leading to increased hardship and humanitarian concerns.

In response to the ongoing aggression, the UK continues to provide substantial support to Ukraine. On February 12, 2026, UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced an additional half a billion pounds in urgent air defense for Ukraine, including 1,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs), to bolster the nation's defenses against nightly Russian attacks. This commitment is part of the UK's broader provision of economic, humanitarian, and defensive military assistance, underscoring its unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.