KYIV, Ukraine (24 Feb. 2026) – On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) warns that civilians across Ukraine continue to bear the brunt of hostilities as attacks on populated areas and critical infrastructure persist. Last year was the deadliest on record for civilians since 2022, underscoring the escalating risks facing communities living under constant threat.
Over the past year, repeated strikes have damaged or destroyed energy facilities, heating systems, water networks, and other essential infrastructure. As winter temperatures drop, attacks on power generation and distribution systems have left households without electricity, heat, and access to basic services, effectively turning winter conditions into an additional layer of risk for civilians. In high-intensity conflict, the destruction of civilian infrastructure compounds harm far beyond the immediate impact of a strike, placing older persons, children, and people with disabilities at heightened risk.
“Four years into the full-scale invasion, Ukraine demonstrates what happens when war is fought in densely populated areas and critical infrastructure becomes a target. When families lose electricity and heating in sub-zero temperatures, winter itself becomes a weapon. When a five-year-old child can distinguish the sound of incoming weapons and knows how to hide, it reflects both the brutality of this war and the strain placed on civilian protection systems. Protection must move beyond rhetoric; it requires planning and concrete safeguards that reduce harm in practice,” said Joanne La Terriere, Ukraine Country Director at CIVIC.
CIVIC calls for intensified efforts to protect civilians, strengthen accountability for violations, and support practical, community-based protection mechanisms capable of withstanding the pressures of high-intensity conflict.
CIVIC in Ukraine
CIVIC has been present in Ukraine since 2017, conducting research and on-the-ground activities to support the Ukrainian government and the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in developing and implementing tools, training, and policies on the protection of civilians. CIVIC also supports local communities in areas at risk of escalation and in newly liberated areas by strengthening preparedness and resilience to protection threats, building effective coordination systems among the military, local authorities, and communities, and amplifying civilians’ voices through research and advocacy.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Global CIVIC Communications: [email protected]
In Kyiv: CIVIC Communications Officer: Liudmyla Gitsevych, +380 96 737 7810, [email protected]
Spokespersons are available in English and Ukrainian
Image courtesy: White angels, special National Police of Ukraine Unit
