Life for civilians near the front lines in Ukraine has become a battle for survival, with attacks on energy infrastructure threatening to trigger a major crisis this winter, the UN warned today.

Matias Smale, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, said civilians were increasingly affected as the fourth winter since Russia’s February 2022 invasion approached.

Smale pointed out that this year was deadlier for civilians compared to 2024, with a 30% increase in the number of victims. One-third of civilian deaths and injuries recorded in 2025 were caused by drone strikes.

“It is increasingly a technological war: a drone war,” he said during a press conference in Geneva.

Intensification of attacks in areas near the front lines have forced more than 57,000 people to flee their homes, while markets in these zones are becoming “increasingly dysfunctional”.

“It’s increasingly a battle for survival,” with limited access to basic necessities, he added.

“Destroying power generation and distribution capabilities in anticipation of winter clearly has an impact on the civilian population and constitutes a form of terrorism.”

According to the official, the UN winter intervention plan, which aims to provide more than 1.7 million people with assistance that will include heating and economic support, is only 50% funded.

“Our basic assumption for 2026 is that the war will continue,” he noted. “For now, nothing in the field suggests it will end soon.”

He also stated that he was “impressed by the resilience of the people”, but warned: “let us not dream, civilians are increasingly tired of this war”.

“The impact of this war on mental health is worsening. Ukraine may “face this situation for at least a generation or more.”