Key facts
- Ukraine faces its "toughest winter" since Russia's full-scale invasion, according to UN official Alexander De Croo.
- De Croo warned of a potential "humanitarian catastrophe" if Russian attacks cut off power and water.
- Russia is systematically targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including power transmission lines.
- The UN Development Programme is helping to repair Ukraine's energy system under constant air alarms.
- Winter temperatures in Ukraine can drop to -20C.
Ukraine is bracing for its most challenging winter since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, a senior United Nations official has warned. Alexander De Croo, head of the UN Development Programme, told the BBC that there is a significant risk of a "humanitarian catastrophe" if ongoing Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure lead to widespread power and water outages.
De Croo, who is the UN's third most senior official, described Russia's targeting of civilian and energy infrastructure as "very systematic." He noted that strikes have hit petrol stations, shopping malls, business centers, and critically, energy transmission lines. "There is absolutely no justification for that," he stated.
The UN official expressed deep concern about the potential consequences, including widespread human suffering, as winter temperatures in Ukraine can plummet to -20C. He highlighted that if power supplies and critical infrastructure are severely damaged, it could lead to a breakdown of heating, water, and sewage systems.
Efforts are underway to prepare Ukraine for the harsh conditions. The UN Development Programme is assisting in the reconstruction of damaged parts of the energy system and is working to establish more sustainable, decentralized energy plants that are less vulnerable to attack. However, De Croo acknowledged the extreme difficulty and danger of this work, with reconstruction sites operating under constant air raid alerts and facing the risk of being targeted.