The horror of powerful long-range missiles combined with waves of drones increasingly being used by Russian forces was again painfully laid bare in Ukraine this morning. I am particularly appalled by the high number of civilian casualties in Ternopil, a city in western Ukraine hundreds of kilometers from the frontline.
The apparent specific targeting of energy infrastructure comes just as winter sets in. This was the sixth such large-scale attack my Office has documented in less than two months, leaving civilians across wide areas struggling with daily power outages and, in some areas, serious disruptions to heating and water supply.
Civilians and civilian infrastructure are clearly protected under the laws of war. Recurring patterns of apparent violations of the fundamental international humanitarian law principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution raise particularly serious concerns and must be promptly, thoroughly and independently investigated.
The Russian Federation must immediately cease its armed attack against Ukraine and withdraw all of its military forces from Ukrainian territory. The Russian Federation must meet its international obligations under the UN Charter, and other applicable law, including the binding order of the International Court of Justice.
