Toggle navigation menu.
Helsinki Default Banner

RUSSIA’S INFRASTRUCTURE TERRORISTS

Moderator

Bakhti Nishanov

, Senior Policy Advisor

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Witnesses

The Honorable Oleksandra Azarkhina

, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure

Ukraine

Russia, in its brutal war against Ukrainians, has been ruthlessly and methodically targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and other civilian objects, plunging millions of Ukrainians, including children and the elderly, into darkness and cold. Schools, hospitals, maternity wards, and kindergartens have not been able to function. And while there are no reliable estimates on the number of civilian deaths that may be attributed to this infrastructure terrorism, it’s clear Russia is targeting infrastructure to maximize pain to civilians and damage their property. As a prominent Russian propaganda channel sickeningly put it, “… it is difficult to believe in victory when funerals come to your own friends, and you yourself are without light, heat and water, going to bathroom in a bucket.”  Russia’s goal is to demoralize and terrorize Ukrainians which is a crime against humanity under international humanitarian law.

Ukrainians have responded to this terror with heroic efforts to restore power grid, water, and heating to as many citizens as possible as fast as possible. However, Russia’s attacks continue and the Ukrainian grid teeters on the brink of failure under stresses no civilian power was ever designed to withstand.

This briefing will examine the extent of damage to critical infrastructure, the toll in human suffering, and what the United States can do to help Ukrainians survive this cruel winter.

The following panelist is scheduled to participate:

  1. The Honorable Oleksandra Azarkhina, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine
Category
Country
Issue
Date
Filter Topics Open Close
In the News

Bipartisan House members push Biden to allow Poland ...

Oct 30, 2024

In the News

US Weighs NATO Ally’s Offer To Shoot Down Russ...

Nov 01, 2024

screen-reader-text
In the News

Bipartisan report urges rethink of America’s Russia ...

Sep 28, 2024

screen-reader-text
In the News

Wilson Talks Russia Strategy

Oct 02, 2024

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

Chairman Wilson Issues Statement on Government Raids...

Oct 25, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, US Helsinki Commission Chairman Joe Wilson (SC-02), issued the following statement regarding the government raids on the homes of the two Tbilisi, Georgia-based researchers with the US-based Atlantic Council: “It […]

screen-reader-text
Statements

Bipartisan Helsinki Commission Leadership Marks Sole...

Feb 24, 2025

WASHINGTON—Today, the bipartisan leadership of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, Chairman Senator Roger Wicker (MS), Co-Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02), Ranking Member Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and Ranking Member Representative Steve […]

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

Senator Roger Wicker Appointed Chairman of the U.S. ...

Feb 12, 2025

WASHINGTON—The Presiding Officer, on behalf of the Vice President, last week announced the appointment of U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., as chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in […]

screen-reader-text
In the News

Ukraine Could Get ‘War-Winning Weapons’ ...

Feb 11, 2025

screen-reader-text
In the News

US’s Joe Wilson and UK’s James MacCleary Call for Br...

Jan 31, 2025

screen-reader-text
In the News

U.S. Leadership is Essential to Fight Russia’s Cover...

Jan 20, 2025

screen-reader-text
In the News

Russia is escalating its dangerous shadow war agains...

Jan 18, 2025

screen-reader-text
In the News

Congressman Steve Cohen: ‘Ivanishvili is steer...

Jan 13, 2025

screen-reader-text
In the News

Helsinki Commission Leaders Reintroduce MEGOBARI Act...

Jan 04, 2025

screen-reader-text
In the News

Bipartisan lawmakers renew push for legislation supp...

Jan 03, 2025

screen-reader-text
In the News

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe...

Jan 01, 2025

screen-reader-text
In the News

Helsinki Commission Report on the war against NATO f...

Dec 31, 2024

screen-reader-text
Press Releases

NEW REPORT—Spotlight on the Shadow War: Inside Russi...

Dec 12, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Helsinki Commission staff published a new report entitled, “Spotlight on the Shadow War: Inside Russia’s Attacks on NATO Territory.” Since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, […]

screen-reader-text