A United Nations-backed inquiry has concluded that Russia committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine by intentionally attacking energy infrastructure, leaving millions without electricity and heat. The commission also found evidence that Russia recruited men from 29 countries into its armed forces “through deception or coercion” to fight in Ukraine, in violation of international law.
Erik Mose, chair of the independent international commission of inquiry on Ukraine, stated at a UN news conference on October 26, 2026, that the attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure were intentionally directed against civilian objects and inflicted great suffering on civilians. Russia’s UN Mission, however, said on Monday that it does not recognize the commission’s mandate and claimed its findings were based on “falsified data.”
Humanitarian impact of infrastructure attacks
The commission’s report, presented to the UN General Assembly’s human rights committee, focused on the impact of Russia’s widespread attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. It highlighted that electricity cuts have left millions of civilians suffering in frigid winter darkness, with elderly people unable to use elevators to reach shelters during missile and drone attacks, and hospital patients deprived of critical life-sustaining devices.
The findings were based on accounts from 255 Ukrainians who endured winter conditions in Kyiv and eight other regions in 2025-26, as well as testimonies from government officials, doctors, and civic organizations. Mose, a former Norwegian judge, expressed serious concerns about the escalating attacks as winter approaches, warning of increased threats to civilians.
Recruitment of foreign nationals and Nepal’s concerns
The inquiry also found evidence that Russia recruited men aged 18 to 60 from 29 countries into its armed forces through deception or coercion. These men, often from vulnerable and marginalized communities with poor economic backgrounds and low education levels, were reportedly tricked into signing military contracts they did not understand.
The 29 countries identified by the commission include Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Botswana, Cameroon, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ghana, Honduras, India, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkiye, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.
Nepal has a significant concern regarding this issue. According to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at least 118 Nepali citizens serving in the Russian army have died in the Russia-Ukraine war, and 132 are missing as of February 24, 2026. The Consular Service Department reported that 219 Nepalis have been injured in the conflict. While the Nepali government estimates about 200 Nepali citizens are fighting in the Russian army, opposition lawmaker and former Foreign Minister Bimla Rai Poudyal stated in parliament on February 8, 2024, that between 14,000 and 15,000 Nepali men were fighting in Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been collecting and sending DNA samples to Russian authorities to verify the identities of the deceased.
In related news, the UN General Assembly on October 13, 2026, elected Nepal to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 term, providing Nepal with an opportunity to play a more active role in international human rights issues.
Political shifts in Serbia
Meanwhile, significant political changes have occurred in Serbia. The Student List movement achieved a clear majority in the parliamentary elections held on October 25, 2026. Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in the election. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed hope that Serbia’s new political leaders would recognize the benefits of cooperation with Russia. In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the election results as a “new chapter in the history of the country and its people.”
Under Serbia’s constitution, the new parliament must convene within 30 days of the official election results, and a new government must be formed within 90 days. The Student List movement is preparing to begin negotiations for government formation, prioritizing the fight against corruption and restoring the rule of law.
Russia’s UN Mission stated that the outcomes of the third Russia-Africa summit, scheduled for October 29 in Moscow, would be reviewed with a focus on “silencing the guns” initiatives.
