Nearly seven million children at risk from attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine

MADRID, 14 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Russian attacks on the main energy structures in Ukraine have left almost seven million children without stable access to electricity, heating and water, a risky situation in the face of winter, according to the United Nations Children's Fund. (UNICEF).

Due to power cuts, children not only face extreme cold, since temperatures in the region can reach 20 degrees below zero, but also interrupt distance education, the only way to school after the numerous attacks on educational centers .

"Beyond the immediate threats brought by the cold, children are also deprived of the ability to learn or keep in touch with friends and family, putting both their physical and mental health at serious risk," she said. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

In the same way, blackouts can affect the proper functioning of essential health services, as well as failures in the water system increase the risk of contagion of pneumonia, flu, Covid-19 and waterborne diseases.

The destruction of infrastructure in the almost 10 months of conflict has decimated family income and made it difficult to access basic services, a particularly serious situation for 6.5 million people, including 1.2 million children, currently displaced within the country.

"It is also essential that UNICEF and our humanitarian partners have prompt and unimpeded access to children and their families in need of humanitarian assistance, no matter where they are," Russell added.

The increase in Russian attacks has destroyed 40 percent of energy production in Ukraine, exposing families to winter temperatures and straining livelihoods. As of November 28, the Ukrainian energy system was only capable of supplying 70 percent of the maximum demand for power generation, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

For his part, the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, asked the European Union on Tuesday to increase electricity exports during his speech within the framework of the international conference of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, organized by France and Ukraine.

"We have to agree on concrete measures that help not only Ukrainians to survive the winter but also allow us to demonstrate to any anti-European and anti-democratic force that Europe has learned to prevent catastrophes and protect its people", the president stated, according to the Presidency. ukrainian.

From Russia they justify the attacks on energy supports as part of their military strategy: "These infrastructures support the combat capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and nationalist battalions," defended the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, during a conference televised press release two weeks ago.