Russia's committing war crimes by destroying Ukraine's energy infrastructure – Budrys

VILNIUS – As Russia continues to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys vows that Lithuania will continue its efforts to hold the Kremlin accountable for its war crimes.

"The systematic destruction of civilian energy infrastructure - especially during winter - is a war crime under the Geneva Conventions," Lithuania's top diplomat said on X on Tuesday. "These acts demand Russia's accountability, and Lithuania will seek concrete ways at the European level to strengthen responsibility and consequences for those who order and carry out this terror."

In his post, Budrys also called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider issuing new international arrest warrants for those responsible.

The ICC has already issued arrest warrants for two high-ranking Russian military officials in connection with the attacks on Ukraine's energy network. According to the ICC, this is a war crime because it is intended to harm the civilian population of Ukraine.

As reported by BNS, Russia has been attacking Ukraine's energy system since the beginning of the invasion. According to Kyiv, this is aimed at breaking the fighting spirit and weakening Ukrainian resistance.

Russia's overnight air strike left thousands of homes in Kyiv without heat and water, with temperatures outside reaching -14 degrees Celsius, while the capital continues to suffer from attacks that have knocked out vital utilities.

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said Russian forces had attacked energy infrastructure in at least seven regions and called on Ukraine's allies to strengthen its air defense systems.

The attack came about ten days after Russia's biggest strike on Kyiv's energy network since the invasion began.

"In the depths of winter in Ukraine, Russia once again chose cruelty over peace - unleashing a mass attack that left cities across Ukraine without heat, water, and electricity as temperatures drop below -15°C. Freezing homes, darkened hospitals, families left to survive the night. This is yet again a calculated assault on civilians and the systems that keep them alive," Budrys said.

According to him, Russia's actions show that Moscow's claims about seeking peace are false. The minister said that sanctions should therefore be tightened not only against the Kremlin, but also against Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Cuba, and China.

"Ending Russia's war also requires a surge in support for Ukraine: air defense and interceptors, broader military assistance, and urgent energy assistance," the Lithuanian foreign minister said.