Four years of war: Workers still paying the price in Ukraine

Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Ukrainian workers continue to face deadly attacks on mines, railways and energy infrastructure. Trade unions are calling for peace, respect for international law and reconstruction grounded in workers’ rights and democracy.

Russia’s war of aggression, which began with the full-scale assault on 24 February 2022, continues to inflict devastating losses on Ukrainian workers and their unions. Mines, railways and energy infrastructure remain targets and civilians are paying with their lives as the invasion enters its fourth year.

On 1 February 2026, Russian forces struck a coal mining enterprise and a bus carrying miners between shifts in the Dnipropetrovsk region using Shahed-type drones. Twelve people were killed-ten mineworkers and two civilians who rushed to assist-and at least 16 were injured, several seriously. Ninety-one miners were trapped underground in dangerous conditions.These were energy workers keeping Ukraine’s power system running during a freezing winter.

The same week, a passenger train was hit by a drone, killing civilians inside a railcar. Energy infrastructure, railways and industrial facilities remain systematic targets. Entire cities are repeatedly left without electricity, heating and water. Workers in frontline and near-frontline regions continue to labour under constant threat.

Workers have paid a heavy price. More than 1,000 were injured at workplaces in 2025 as a result of hostile attacks, including over 200 fatalities. In the first weeks of 2026 alone, dozens more workers have been injured and killed on the job.

Energy workers, miners, railway workers, postal workers and emergency responders continue to work under fire to keep the country functioning. Despite severe winter conditions, including temperatures dropping to minus 27 degrees Celsius, energy workers restore electricity after each strike only to see new attacks destroy their efforts again. The office of the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine (NPGU) has been without power for up to 20–22 hours per day, yet continues its work defending members and providing assistance.

Ukrainian unions appeal for urgent solidarity

In early February, the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine appealed to IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe following the latest deadly attacks. The union underlined that these are not isolated incidents but systematic strikes on workers and critical infrastructure that sustain the country’s energy, transport and economic life.

IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan said:

“For four years, Ukrainian workers have shown extraordinary courage in defending their workplaces, their communities and their country. Russia’s continued attacks on miners, energy workers and civilians are unacceptable and must stop. The international trade union movement will not waver in its solidarity. Peace, democracy and respect for workers’ rights must prevail.”

Ukrainian unions have also raised serious concerns regarding the labour law reform process currently under way.

On 29 January 2026, IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe wrote to ILO requesting urgent intervention to ensure that the reform process complies with international labour standards and guarantees genuine social dialogue.

The draft labour code was advanced rapidly without meaningful consultation with trade unions. Ukrainian affiliates have expressed deep concern about the weakening of fundamental rights and the exclusion of social partners from a process that will shape labour relations for years to come. Even in wartime, reforms must respect ILO conventions ratified by Ukraine and uphold the principles of tripartism and democratic dialogue.

Peace, democracy and reconstruction

From the first days of the invasion, IndustriALL has stood in unwavering solidarity with its Ukrainian affiliates providing humanitarian assistance, advocating internationally and supporting plans for reconstruction grounded in trade union rights.

Ukrainian unions have been clear: workers cannot bear the burden of war, reconstruction and safety risks. Rebuilding Ukraine must strengthen collective bargaining, social protection and decent work not weaken them.

IndustriALL supports the ITUC’s Trade Unions for Peace and Democracy campaign, which calls for an end to the war, full respect for international law and the restoration of peace based on justice and democracy.

Four years on, Ukrainian workers continue to defend their workplaces, communities and country under relentless attack. IndustriALL reiterates its unwavering support for Ukrainian workers and their unions and calls for an immediate end to Russia’s aggression, full respect for international humanitarian law and reconstruction anchored in trade union rights, social dialogue and democratic principles.

ITUC has established a Solidarity Fund for Ukraine and IndustriALL urges all affiliates to make targeted, earmarked contributions to the ITUC Solidarity Fund for Ukraine in solidarity with Ukrainian workers and their unions during this critical winter. Details below:

Reference: Solidarity Fund

ITUC/CSI account: 068-9007804-23

(BIC/Swift: GKCCBEBB – IBAN: BE92 0689 0078 0423)

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