Ukraine’s top diplomat condemns Red Cross call for civilians to leave warm offices amid winter infrastructure attacks.
Red Cross on Critical Infrastructure Attacks
The International Committee of the Red Cross stated that recent attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia have deprived millions of access to electricity, water, and heating amid freezing temperatures in Kyiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Belgorod, and other regions. It emphasized that attacks causing disproportionate harm to civilians, including denying basic survival services like power and heating, are prohibited.
Ariane Bauer, regional director for Europe and Central Asia at the ICRC, commented on the violations of international humanitarian law.
Ukraine’s Diplomatic Response
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha condemned the statement as “shameful,” citing false moral equivalence between the aggressor and the defending nation. He stressed Ukraine operates within international humanitarian law and the right to self-defense.
Sybiha announced the ICRC delegation head in Ukraine will be summoned to the foreign ministry for clarification. He challenged the authors of the statement to “leave their warm offices, come to Ukraine, and spend a day in an icy house” to regain perspective.
Ukraine’s Fourth Winter of Infrastructure Warfare
Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal highlighted that Ukraine is enduring its fourth winter in a “grueling fight for light and heat.” He accused Russia of daily attacks on energy infrastructure aimed at triggering a humanitarian catastrophe.
Kyiv operates over 1,200 warming centers where residents can heat up and charge phones amid the ongoing crisis.