Ukraine: Russia must bear criminal responsibility for blasting Kakhovka Hydro Power Plant

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes that Russia must bear criminal responsibility for the ecocide provoked by blowing up the structures of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with media representatives on the occasion of Journalist’s Day.

He noted that last year, Ukrainian intelligence reported on the mining of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam by the Russian occupiers and the risks related to these actions.

“It is very important that we were aware of these risks in advance. It is very important that the teams based at the SES and local teams were prepared. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was preparing for respective things,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President emphasized that the blasting of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam caused serious natural, social and humanitarian challenges. In particular, 35-80 settlements are expected to be flooded. The issue of providing local residents with drinking water is being addressed, which will be needed not only in the flooded areas but also in neighboring regions.

“The consequences of the tragedy will be clear in a week. When the water goes away, it will become clear what is left and what will happen next. All teams are working in parallel, everyone is on the ground,” the Head of State added.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke about the steps Ukraine is taking in the international arena, in particular to bring to justice those responsible for ecocide on Ukrainian territory.

“We involve everyone: at the level of heads of state and heads of government. First of all, the issue is not about assistance, but about recording (the aggressor’s crime – ed.). This is a big difference,” the President said.

The Head of State noted that Ukraine informed the European Union and NATO countries about another crime committed by Russia, initiated the convening of the UN Security Council meeting, and will also appeal to the International Criminal Court.

“In our opinion, this is a crime, the Prosecutor General’s Office has already registered it. It will have evidence. There is a modern classification – ecocide. We will work in this direction. This is a very important point that I would like the international community to pay attention to. And I will now focus our diplomats on working with the states that take an intermediary position. Especially those states that pay a lot of attention to environmental issues and eco-challenges,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He expressed hope that Latin American and Asian countries, as well as relevant international organizations, would react to the crime of ecocide.

“I think that there should be criminal liability in the first place. International institutions, including the International Criminal Court, should react,” the President is convinced.

Source – Ukrainian Presidency

Related: 21 October 2022: Ukraine warns Russia planning to destroy hydro dam – EurActiv

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an emergency meeting of the National Security and Defense Council on the situation at the Kakhovka HPP.

Minister of the Interior Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrhydroenergo CEO Ihor Syrota, First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Oleksandr Krasnolutskyi and Energoatom President Petro Kotin delivered reports.

The NSDC members were told that around 2:50 am, the enemy blew up the structures of the Kakhovka HPP from inside. All emergency services and the military were immediately informed.

80 settlements are in the flood zone. Members of the National Security and Defense Council were briefed on the current situation by Head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Yurii Malashko, and Commander of the Odesa operational and strategic group of troops Eduard Moskalov. No civilian or military casualties were reported.

Instructions were given to evacuate civilians from the endangered areas and to provide drinking water to settlements dependent on the Kakhovka reservoir.

The NSDC members were informed that at least 150 tons of machine oil got into the Dnipro River, and there is a risk of further leakage of more than 300 tons.

The participants of the meeting agreed on a set of international measures, including convening a meeting of the UN Security Council, appealing to international environmental organizations and the International Criminal Court, as such actions of the Russians bear clear signs of violation of the Geneva Convention.

The members of the National Security and Defense Council were also briefed on the current situation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Ukrainian personnel at the plant are keeping the situation under control and have the tools to deal with any developments.

Source – Ukrainian Presidency