Russia's repeated attacks on Ukraine's power infrastructure have left millions without electricity, heating or water as winter temperatures drop below zero. Ukrainian and Western leaders have condemned the strikes as war crimes, but international law on targeting energy grids is nuanced.
Under international humanitarian law, parts of an electrical grid can be legitimate military targets if they power military facilities, even if they also serve civilians. The key is that destroying such objects must offer a 'definite military advantage'. While Russia cites targeting Ukraine's military command system, experts question whether the scale of attacks meets legal standards.
Professor Michael Schmitt, former US Air Force targeting officer, notes that at some point civilian harm becomes so severe that an attack cannot be justified. He doubts Russia is fully validating each target, given the intensity and frequency of strikes across the entire country.
Dr Maria Varaki from King's College London warns that terrorising civilians is a war crime. The Kremlin has also hinted that strikes aim to push Ukraine into negotiations, but demoralisation is not a legitimate military advantage under international law.
Russia denies intentionally targeting civilians, but the sheer scope of damage—10 million people left without power in November—raises serious questions about proportionality and distinction, the core principles of humanitarian law.
