Ukraine condemns Russia’s ‘brutal tactics’ on second anniversary of Kakhovka ecocide

That’s according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on social media platform X on the second anniversary of the dam’s destruction, as reported by Ukrinform.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the deliberate destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Kherson region caused the largest man-made environmental disaster in Europe since World War II. The resulting flood submerged nearly 80 towns and villages, cut off water access for 1.6 million people, devastated ecosystems, poisoned soil and water, and released landmines into the Black Sea.

"Dam destruction is a war crime, and this act shows Russia’s brutal tactics in its war against Ukraine. The consequences affect the whole region and will take years to repair. This was Russia’s terrible crime against people and nature. It demands justice," the Foreign Ministry said.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, in the early hours of June 6, 2023, Russian forces blew up the Kakhovka dam, causing massive flooding in parts of Kherson and Mykolaiv regions while simultaneously draining the Kakhovka Reservoir to critically low levels.