Ukraine strikes Russia Shatura thermal power plant igniting fire – Euronews.com

Impact of Recent Hostilities on Sustainable Development Goals in Ukraine

Violations of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Recent military actions have resulted in significant civilian casualties and damage to public infrastructure, directly contravening the principles of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies. Local authorities reported that Russian attacks over a 24-hour period resulted in at least six fatalities and 36 injuries. The assault involved a large-scale deployment of military hardware, undermining regional peace and security.

• Total drones launched at Ukraine: 98
• Drones neutralized by Ukrainian forces: 69
• Locations targeted by unintercepted drones: 12
• Other munitions used: Multiple rocket launchers and glide bombs

The targeting of a fire and rescue unit in the Shostka district, which damaged the building and injured a rescuer, represents a direct attack on essential public institutions responsible for citizen safety.

Setbacks to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The attacks have severely impacted the safety and sustainability of urban environments, a core objective of SDG 11. Civilian residential areas were directly targeted, rendering communities unsafe and causing significant displacement and property loss.

1. Dnipro: A drone strike on a residential building injured at least 15 people, including one child. The attack resulted in 61 reports of property damage, with five houses damaged, one roof compromised, and approximately 200 windows shattered.
2. Zaporizhzhia: Drone attacks on a supermarket and residential buildings resulted in two fatalities and six injuries.

These events demonstrate a reversal of progress toward creating inclusive, safe, and resilient human settlements.

Undermining SDG 7 and SDG 9: Energy and Infrastructure

The deliberate targeting of critical infrastructure poses a direct threat to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). The systematic destruction of energy facilities disrupts essential services for the civilian population and cripples industrial capacity.

• Odesa: Russian forces struck critical energy facilities, causing a major fire that required emergency response. An industrial building was also hit.
• Sumy Region: A Russian drone strike ignited a fire in a building, further straining emergency services.
• Moscow Region: In a retaliatory action, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck the Shatura Thermal Power Plant, indicating the reciprocal nature of infrastructure targeting that impedes sustainable development on both sides.

Detrimental Effects on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The conflict has had a severe negative impact on SDG 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. The direct human cost is a primary concern.

1. Fatalities: At least six people were killed in the attacks.
2. Injuries: A minimum of 36 individuals sustained injuries, including civilians and an emergency rescuer.
3. Disruption of Health and Safety Services: The attack on a fire and rescue unit in the Shostka district directly impairs the capacity of institutions designed to protect public health and well-being.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article’s central theme is the ongoing armed conflict, featuring attacks, violence, deaths, and injuries, which is in direct opposition to the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The text details the destruction of residential buildings, homes, and property in cities like Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia. This undermines the goal of making human settlements safe, resilient, and sustainable by destroying housing and creating unsafe living conditions.
3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article explicitly mentions strikes on “critical energy infrastructure,” “energy facilities” in Odesa, and a “Thermal Power Plant” in the Moscow region. These attacks directly threaten the provision and accessibility of energy services.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The report describes damage to various forms of infrastructure, including energy facilities, an industrial building, a supermarket, and a fire and rescue unit. This destruction of critical and economic infrastructure is a direct setback to building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization.
5. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article reports civilian casualties, including deaths and injuries (“at least six people have been killed and 36 injured”). This directly impacts the goal of ensuring healthy lives and well-being, as the conflict causes loss of life and physical harm.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article’s documentation of deaths and injuries from drone and missile strikes directly relates to this target.
2. Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.1: “ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing.” The destruction of a residential building in Dnipro, damage to five houses, and shattered windows directly compromises access to safe and adequate housing.
   • Target 11.5: “significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses…caused by disasters.” The conflict acts as a man-made disaster, and the article quantifies the number of people killed and injured, as well as the economic losses through property damage.
3. Under SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.1: “ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.” The targeting of “critical energy infrastructure” and a thermal power plant directly undermines the reliability and accessibility of energy services for the population.
4. Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being.” The attacks on energy facilities, an industrial building, a supermarket, and a fire station represent the destruction of essential infrastructure needed for economic activity and human well-being.
5. Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The reported deaths and injuries are a direct measure of the failure to protect health and well-being, which is a foundational aspect of this goal. The conflict creates a severe health crisis, directly contradicting the aim of ensuring healthy lives.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 16 (Target 16.1):
   • Number of civilian deaths: The article states “at least six people have been killed.”
   • Number of civilian injuries: The article mentions “36 injured” in total, with specific counts like “at least 15 people, including a child” in Dnipro and “six people” in Zaporizhzhia.
2. For SDG 11 (Targets 11.1 & 11.5):
   • Number of damaged housing units: The text specifies a “residential building” hit in Dnipro, “five houses were damaged in total,” and a “nine-storey building” heavily affected.
   • Extent of property damage: The article notes “61 reports of property damage,” “200 windows were shattered,” and “one building sustained roof damage.”
3. For SDG 7 & SDG 9 (Targets 7.1 & 9.1):
   • Number of critical infrastructure facilities attacked: The article mentions strikes on “energy facilities” in Odesa, a “Thermal Power Plant” in the Moscow region, an “industrial building,” a “supermarket,” and a “fire and rescue unit.”

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: euronews.com