The UN Human Rights Office in Geneva on Tuesday said the spate of Russia’s deadly attacks on Ukraine could be classified as war crimes.

“Attacks targeting civilians and objects indispensable to the survival of civilians are prohibited under international humanitarian law,” UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said. “The location and timing of the strikes when people were commuting to work and taking children to school is particularly shocking.”

The office said 12 energy companies and other important infrastructure were hit in addition to putting civilians in harm with strikes on city centres.

Ms Shamdasani said attacking power plants just before winter hits particularly vulnerable people who cannot flee because of their age or illness.

Ukrainian authorities on Tuesday spoke of 19 dead as a result of the attacks on Monday.

The UN Human Rights Office called on Russia to refrain from further escalation and to do everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. 

(dpa/NAN)