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UN briefers warn of escalating attacks on Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure; states call for urgent funding and accountability
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Summary
OCHA and the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab told the Security Council that recent waves of strikes have severely damaged Ukraine’s energy network and civilian infrastructure, causing civilian casualties, displacements and widespread service outages; states urged more donor funding, protection of civilians and accountability for alleged violations of international humanitarian law.
UN briefers and a broad majority of Security Council speakers warned on the scale and humanitarian consequences of recent strikes on Ukraine's civilian and energy infrastructure, and called for immediate donor support and steps to ensure accountability.
Miss Lisa Dutton, director of the Financing and Partnerships Division at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told the Council that “since then, attacks on Ukraine have only escalated further,” citing OHCHR figures that recorded 129 civilian deaths and 574 injuries in April and reporting that more than 7,000 civilians were evacuated from border areas of Kharkiv region during recent waves of attacks. She said power cuts and damage to essential services have left “millions of households across the country with no power, no water, and no gas,” and urged flexible funding for the 2024 Ukraine humanitarian needs and response plan, noting donors have provided 22% of the $3.1 billion required so far.
Catherine Horwath of the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab presented open-source and satellite-based verification of damage to energy infrastructure, saying her team identified 223 damage events between January 2022 and 30 April 2023 and verified 66 to high-confidence standards across 17 oblasts. Horwath recommended three priorities: “first target the missiles,” enforce sanctions and track weapons components; “second, prepare for this emergency” by mobilizing resources for immediate stabilization; and “third, let Russia pay” by using seized assets to fund short-term emergency preparations.
Delegations voiced alarm and urged urgent action. The United States described recent strikes as a “clear escalation,” announced $1 billion in new assistance that includes air-defence capabilities, and urged donors to support humanitarian funds to reach 14.6 million people in need. The United Kingdom said recent attacks — including a May 8 strike it said involved more than 70 missiles and drones — are “making an appalling humanitarian situation worse” and pledged substantive energy-sector support. Japan and Germany reported equipment and relief contributions, and the European Union reiterated support for humanitarian and civil‑protection assistance, while welcoming Switzerland’s announcement of a high-level peace summit in June.
Several delegations highlighted acute risks to civilian services and specific infrastructure: repeated strikes on power plants and substations have caused rolling outages in Kharkiv, Dnipro and other regions, hampering water, health and education services and obstructing humanitarian operations; damage to ports threatens grain exports and global food security. Malta, Slovenia and Estonia cited casualty figures and damage to schools and hospitals. Switzerland warned the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains “worrying” and pressed adherence to IAEA safety principles.
Briefers and member states repeatedly urged unobstructed humanitarian access to all affected areas, including territories under temporary occupation, and called for enforcement of international humanitarian law and accountability mechanisms already in motion, including ICC arrest warrants and inquiry mandates.
The Council heard requests for rapid provision of power generators, transformers, mobile power units and other equipment to restore essential services, plus donor commitments to funds dedicated to energy rehabilitation. Switzerland’s upcoming summit in June was presented by several delegations as an opportunity to coordinate assistance and diplomatic efforts.
The meeting closed without a vote. Council members said they would continue to press for expanded humanitarian financing, steps to protect civilians and infrastructure, and mechanisms to hold perpetrators to account.
