Resources to Understand Russia's Terroristic Act of Destroying the Nova Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine
Explaining Ukraine Podcast did a special episode on the dam explosion: “Russia blows up the Kakhovka dam and creates a huge environmental disaster.” [The podcast is hosted by Ukrainian philosopher Volodymyr Yermolenko.] Here is a brief description of the episode:
“On June 6th Russia blew up the dam of the Kakhovka hydropower plant in Southern Ukraine. This act of geopolitical terrorism and ecocide produces a major environmental disaster for decades to come. It also puts the Zaporizzhia nuclear power plant (the biggest NPP in Europe) at a significant risk. We have recorded a Twitter space to discuss this tragedy, based on our conversations with the Ukrainian experts and journalists.”
Atlantic Council experts: “Three questions and expect answers about the dam collapse in Ukraine”
Here are a few excerpts:
What are the environmental implications of this destructive act?
Since last fall, Ukraine has implored the international community to prevent a Russian terrorist attack on the Nova Kakhovka dam. The immeasurable suffering today should be a wakeup call regarding how Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure must be protected in the future and the importance of trusting Ukraine’s experts on risk assessment and mitigation strategies, in particular regarding nuclear power plants. While there are no evident immediate risks to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which relies on water from the reservoir for cooling and operations, its continued safety is anything but guaranteed. The international community should be treating Russia’s apparent escalation as a ramp-up for broader genocide and ecocide in Ukraine. Western allies, including multilateral bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, cannot entrust Zaporizhzhia’s safety and that of other massive energy installations to the Russians.
—Olga Khakova is the deputy director for European energy security at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center
Is this a war crime?
Given months of Ukrainian and international warnings about the possibility of Russia attacking the dam, global condemnation is not sufficient. Anything less than a tangible response alerts the Kremlin that it can get away with the environmental equivalent of a weapon of mass destruction, encouraging Russia to climb further up an escalation ladder aimed directly at Ukraine’s civilians. This day offers a painful snapshot of Ukrainian life under Russia’s terror: nine months of violent occupation in Kherson, with torture camps, rape, and summary executions, followed by relentless shelling, and now, apparently, flooding—losing everything in a day.
—Kristina Hook
Destruction of the dam absolutely violates the Geneva Conventions and fits the definition of a crime against humanity as described in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. So it should be recognized as such and its perpetrators should be held accountable. We’re seeing a developing humanitarian disaster, primarily due to the massive displacement of the population of flooded areas and a sharp drop in the supply of drinking water. If Russia committed the destruction, it would be one more reason to see Putin and company in The Hague, hopefully in the near future.
—Oleh Shamshur
Euromaidan Press “World leaders call Russian attack on Kakhovka a ‘war crime’”
Please consider finding a reputable organization and donating to help Ukrainians suffering as a result of this war crime. I have donated to Razom in the past and donated today to help the victims of the current flooding.