Russia blows up Kakhovka HPP dam to disrupt Ukraine’s counteroffensive, French senator believes

16.06.2023 21:00

Ukrinform

The blowing up of the dam at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant by Russia is a war crime aimed at disrupting the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Such a step on the part of the Russian Federation demonstrates the fear on the part of the Putin regime and their readiness to commit any crimes in order to avoid defeat.

This was stated in a comment to Guildhall by French Senator Guillaume Gontard, who is a member of the Committee on Defense and Foreign Relations.

“With the explosion of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Kherson oblast, Russia has once again committed a war crime. Out of fear of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, the Russian military cowardly endangered the lives of thousands of civilians in this region, in clear disregard for international war law. In addition to this humanitarian and ecological disaster, the Russian army bombed the population during their evacuation, an act of the highest barbarity,” said the French senator.

“This latest violation of the laws of war shows that Putin is prepared to commit any atrocity to avoid military and political defeat. His imperialist vision is reflected in the death of many innocent lives. The world will not forget these crimes committed in Ukraine and those responsible will be brought before the International Criminal Court,” summed up Guillaume Gontard.

The European Parliament has condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia's actions that led to the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam and the dire consequences for the population of Ukraine and the environment.