Switzerland UN concerned about increasing number of drone attacks in Ukraine

According to the UN, the Russian army is increasingly attacking the population and civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine with drones. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, Matthias Schmale, warns of a possible "tipping point" that could trigger new mass refugee movements. 3.6 million people are internally displaced, Schmale said. Some of them have been living in emergency shelters for two years or more.

Schmale describes the drone attacks as "psychological terror". People reported how drones were chasing them in the streets. You never know whether they are just reconnaissance drones or attack drones.

He is very concerned that the growing use of drones is hitting the civilian population harder and harder, said Schmale in Geneva. One of the reasons he is there is to raise more donations to help people get through the winter.

Concern about people in high-rise buildings

65 percent of the energy infrastructure has been partially damaged, much of it this year, said Schmale. With foreign support, the authorities are racing against time to repair as much as possible before the winter.

The energy supply for people living in high-rise buildings is difficult. Among other things, meeting points are being set up for them where they can warm up and take hot showers or get hot food.

SDA