A United Nations-backed inquiry reported on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, that Russia committed war crimes and crimes against humanity by intentionally attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine stated that the wide-ranging attacks left millions of civilians without electricity and heat during freezing winter temperatures, leading to severe humanitarian consequences.
The commission was established by the Human Rights Council in March 2022 to investigate alleged violations following Russia's full-scale invasion. This specific report to the UN General Assembly’s human rights committee marks the first time the body has focused on the impact of infrastructure strikes. Commission chair Erik Mose, a former Norwegian judge, stated at a news conference that the attacks were intentionally directed at civilian objects and inflicted "great suffering" to civilians.
The report also detailed evidence that Russia recruited men from 29 countries into its armed forces through "deception or coercion," in violation of international law. The inquiry found that agents operating in foreign countries posed as legitimate and government-endorsed businesses to arrange visas for men. Upon arrival, these recruits were reportedly forced to sign military documents in Russian that they did not understand, discovering only afterward that they would serve in the Russian armed forces.
Russia's UN Mission stated on Monday that it does not recognize the commission’s mandate and characterized the findings as being based on "falsified data." Throughout the conflict, Russian authorities have maintained that their forces strike only military-related targets and that foreign enlistment is a voluntary process encouraged by perks such as accelerated citizenship. The commission noted that the Russian government has not responded to its requests for comment.
The report identifies 29 specific nations whose citizens have been recruited into the conflict, including India, South Africa, Brazil, and Turkey. The scale involves recruits aged 18 to 60 who were allegedly misled by agents into military service. The commission noted that these individuals often come from vulnerable and marginalized communities with poor economic backgrounds and low education levels.
The commission’s conclusions regarding crimes against humanity follow documentation of infrastructure attacks as intentional efforts to cause civilian suffering. The commission’s mandate has been extended through March 2027, with a comprehensive report scheduled for delivery to the Human Rights Council in February or March 2027. Russia continues to deny the legitimacy of these investigations.