Ukraine denounces Russia for “ecocide” after the destruction of a dam that triggered mass evacuations

2023-06-06 19:20:46

In a tragic event, a major dam and hydroelectric power plant in southern Ukraine, which is occupied by Russia, was destroyed. This has generated mass evacuations and fears of large-scale devastation. Ukraine has accused Moscow forces of committing an act of “ecocide”.

Perspective Writing

The head of the military administration of the Kherson region of Ukraine reported that residents downstream of the Nova Kakhova dam on the Dnipro River were told to do everything possible to save their lives. A shocking video shows how a large hole in the dam causes a deluge of water to rush into the river. In addition, multiple buildings at the dam entrance were severely damaged.

The Nova Kakhova Dam is of vital importance as it spans the Dnipro River, a major waterway in south-eastern Ukraine. There are several towns and cities downriver, including Kherson, which was home to approximately 300,000 people before the Russian invasion. Several senior Ukrainian officials and military figures accuse Russia of sabotaging the dam.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has called an emergency meeting of his security chiefs and declared that the destruction of the dam confirms the need to expel Russian forces from Ukraine. Other officials, such as Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, have called the incident an “ecocide”. They warn about the possible deprivation of drinking water, the destruction of settlements and the impact on the biosphere in the Kherson and Crimea region.

EFE photo

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, also holds Russia and its proxies responsible, stating that they will be held accountable for this war crime. The situation has generated great concern internationally.

Ukrainian forces have intensified their fight against Russian front lines in the south and east in recent days, in preparation for a counter-offensive planned for the summer. Mykhailo Podolyak, Zelensky’s senior adviser, argues that the destruction of the dam will hamper offensive actions by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He claims that the Kremlin is acting without thinking strategically and that the consequences are already catastrophic.

Ukrainian authorities have urged downstream residents to escape the potential flood zone. So far, at least 742 people have been evacuated from the Kherson region, but the evacuations have been hampered by advancing water and the destruction of roads. Some 16,000 people on the western edge of the region are in a “critical zone.”