russia’s military aggression against Ukraine is unprecedented in terms of destruction of civilian energy facilities and violation of international law in world history. The terrorist state must bear political, financial, criminal and historical responsibility for crimes against humanity, nuclear terror and blackmail of the whole world, and destruction of Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure.

This was emphasized by Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko in his speech at the United for Justice international conference in Lviv.

“Today marks a year since the russians seized the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia NPP. They have turned it into a military base and are using it for nuclear blackmail of the whole world,” he emphasized.

Ukrainian nuclear power plants saw enemy missiles flying over them. In November 2022, a massive russian missile attack on energy infrastructure facilities led to a blackout at all Ukrainian NPPs: power units were shut down and switched to diesel generators, the power of last resort. “It was a real threat of another Fukushima scenario and a nuclear disaster that would affect the entire humanity. This is nothing more than nuclear terrorism,” emphasized German Galushchenko.

Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities have been in the russian crosshairs since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, and since October 2022, the russians have been on a course to destroy it completely. About 50% of the energy infrastructure has been damaged by shelling.

“This is a civilian infrastructure. And its deliberate destruction is a serious war crime. International humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols clearly prohibit attacks on civilian facilities such as power plants and power grids,” the Minister emphasized.

German Galushchenko emphasized that the war criminals were the military who shelled the energy infrastructure, as well as energy specialists who advised on how to cause maximum damage and helped to occupy energy facilities.

“Quick and unconventional solutions, assistance from international partners and the heroic work of Ukrainian power engineers allowed Ukraine to win the battle on the energy front against russia this winter. At the same time, the aggressor must be harshly punished for its crimes,” the Energy Minister summarized.