Russia’s Strikes Plunge Chernihiv into Darkness, Raising Alarm Over Targeting of Civilian Infrastructure

Chernihiv, a city of nearly 280,000 residents located just two hours north of Kyiv, is grappling with a complete power outage following a series of targeted Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure. The attacks, occurring as temperatures approach freezing, have left the entire city and surrounding areas without electricity, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The deliberate disruption of essential services is sparking international condemnation and raising serious questions about potential war crimes.

The strikes, which began on October 21, 2025, have forced Chernihiv to rely on limited emergency backup power, while authorities scramble to distribute water to residents. This latest assault follows a pattern of attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid, leaving tens of thousands without power in recent weeks. The timing of these attacks, coinciding with the onset of winter, is particularly concerning, as civilians face the prospect of enduring freezing temperatures without heat or light.

“Russia’s relentless attack that is destroying Ukraine’s energy system, which is indispensable to the survival of civilian population, is unlawful,” stated Veronika Velch, Director of Amnesty International Ukraine. “Intentionally depriving civilians of electricity, heating and water is a clear violation of international humanitarian law. These attacks disproportionately affect the civilian population, particularly vulnerable groups including children, older people, and hospital patients who depend on uninterrupted power and water supplies.”

These attacks disproportionately affect the civilian population, particularly vulnerable groups including children, older people, and hospital patients who depend on uninterrupted power and water supplies

Veronika Velch, Amnesty International Ukraine’s Director

As Ukraine enters another winter under the shadow of Russia’s war of aggression, the systematic destruction of critical infrastructure threatens the very fabric of daily life. Schools are forced to close, disrupting children’s education, and families are increasingly compelled to abandon their homes in search of safety and warmth. The long-term consequences of these attacks extend far beyond the immediate loss of power, potentially creating a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions.

What responsibility does the international community bear in protecting Ukrainian civilians from these deliberate attacks? And how can accountability be ensured for those responsible for targeting essential infrastructure?

The targeting of civilian infrastructure is not a new tactic in this conflict. Amnesty International has consistently documented evidence suggesting that Russia’s widespread attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure may constitute war crimes, creating life-threatening humanitarian conditions. Further details on Amnesty International’s findings can be found here.

The situation in Chernihiv underscores the urgent need for increased international support for Ukraine, not only in terms of military aid but also in providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by these attacks. The United Nations has reported that millions of Ukrainians are in need of humanitarian assistance, a number that is likely to grow as winter approaches and the attacks continue. Furthermore, bolstering investigations into potential war crimes is crucial to deter future violations of international law. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently investigating alleged war crimes committed in Ukraine, and its work is vital to ensuring justice for the victims of these attacks. Learn more about the ICC’s investigation here.

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