Today, Ukrainian workers, trade unionists and the entire population of Ukraine resist the Russian aggressor and fight for the liberation of the occupied territories, where terror reigns and human rights are not guaranteed.

To: Esther Lynch, ETUC General Secretary

European Trade Union Congress affiliated organisations

Dear Esther Lynch, dear brothers and sisters!

The Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU) and the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU), which are member organizations of the International Trade Union Confederation and the European Trade Union Confederation, call on the ITUC, ETUC and the international trade union community and the governments of democratic states to strengthen their support for Ukraine at a time when Russia is tearing down civil and energy infrastructure, purposefully destroying the economy and jobs, residential buildings and killing Ukrainians.

Every day Russia attacks peaceful Ukrainian cities and villages with various types of missiles, drones and artillery. She has imcresing her attacks in recent months. As a result, almost all of Ukraine’s thermal energy generation was destroyed, and hydroelectric power plants and gas infrastructure were targeted. In addition, the work of the temporarily occupied largest nuclear power plant in Europe Zaporizhzhya NPP was under threat.

On the night of March 21, the Russian Armed Forces fired 31 rockets at residential areas of the capital of Ukraine Kyiv and other cities. On March 22, Russia continued its missile terrorism with its most massive attack, estimated cost of that is at least $677 million, launching 60 UAVs and 90 missiles of various types, targeting energy facilities and residential areas of cities of Ukraine.

As a result of the Russian attacks on April 10-11, the Trypilska TPP was destroyed, where the primary trade union organization of the sectoral member organization of the FPU operates. After the accident at the Chernobyl NPP, this TPP was the largest power-generating facility in the Kyiv region. At the same time, Russian troops seriously damaged two DTEK thermal power plants, where our trade union organizations operate. In addition, the Naftogaz of Ukraine reported on targeted Russian attacks on two underground gas storage facilities in Western regions of Ukraine.

On April 17, Russian forces, cynically violating international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, deliberately struck the center of Chernihiv during the peak of the working day: a medical facility and residential buildings. 18 people were killed and more than 70 were injured, including children. In addition, a trade union training center was destroyed by a missile strike.

As the miners’ trade unions of KVPU and FPU constantly report, as a result of power cuts, workers of coal mining enterprises, including their members find themselves in constant danger underground during blackouts and attacks in Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions.

According to information confirmed by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Russian troops purposefully use the practice of double rocket strikes, directing rockets at those who arrive at the place

of shelling to save people, against mining rescuers and ambulance workers, who are members of the KVPU and FPU branch organizations.

Moreover, the Russian forces also torture, illegally imprison and kill civilians, including workers and trade unionists, in the temporary occupied territories of Ukraine. In particular, the thematic report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) cites the example of one Zaporizhzhia NPP (ZNPP) employee who died of torture because he refused to cooperate with the new administration appointed by occupiers. He was brutally beaten on the head, body and genitals, causing severe injuries and leaving him in a coma. OHCHR documented two cases of ZNPP workers who were arbitrarily detained by the armed forces of the Russian Federation and since then are considered missing.

We emphasize that Russia daily kills the civilian population of Ukraine, including workers at workplaces, destroys the economy and energy industry of Ukraine.

As a result of Russia’s actions, there were blackouts and problems with communication and water supply in various cities and regions of Ukraine, including Kharkiv, Sumy, Lviv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Poltava, Kirovohrad, Odesa. This creates risks for the lives of workers, hospital patients, people who are evacuating from front-line areas and settlements under constant shelling, the population cannot use the services of banks and ATMs, supermarkets and pharmacies.

The jobs and lives of workers, including members of KVPU and FPU, from all sectors of the economy are under constant threat.

Today, Ukrainian workers, trade unionists and the entire population of Ukraine resist the Russian aggressor and fight for the liberation of the occupied territories, where terror reigns and human rights are not guaranteed. Today we appeal to the international democratic community with a call:

  • continue to provide economic, humanitarian and aid to Ukraine;
  • support the provision of military aid to Ukraine to protect the population, energy infrastructure, workplaces and the country;
  • strengthen sanctions against the terrorist regime of Russia and those who support and finance it, as this can significantly limit the financial resources and export of technologies necessary for the continuation of the bloody war;
  • to ensure the possibility of using frozen Russian assets to direct them to help Ukraine;
  • promote the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia and Belarus.
  • to isolate and remove from work in international organizations Russian political, public and trade union figures, as representatives of a country that carries out terrorist activities against sovereign, independent Ukraine and its citizens, as well as – they are trying to undermine the unity of the international democratic trade union movement.
Grygoriy Osovyi – President of FPU
Mykhailo Volynets President of KVPU