Destruction of Kakhovska hydropower station: the probable outcomes for Ukraine

At night of June, 6, russian invaders have exploded Kakhovska hydropower station. This was just another act of ecocide in Ukraine and a hit to Ukrainian ecology. By now, it is hard to estimate the range of anthropogenic disaster, though prominent Ukrainian ecologists mention the following consequences:

• mass deaths of fishes, birds, other species, mass drowning of domestic animals,
• destruction and severe change of ecosystems of Kakhovske storage reservoir and water bodies that flow into it,
• threat of epidemics in Chornomorskyi region,
• destruction of biodiversity around the damaged area,
• negative impact on water areas, maritime lands, and terrestrial parts of national nature parks – «Nyzhniodniprovskyi», «Kamyanska Sich», «Biloberezhzhia Sviatoslava», Chornomorskyi biosphere nature reserve, Regional landscape park «Kinburnska Tail» and numerous units of nature reserve fund,
• discharge of oils, chemical fertilizers, sewage into water,
• probable threat of nuclear disaster, as there is no more cooling for reactors of Zaporizka nuclear power station (Enerhoatom claims that the situation is currently under control).

“It has been over a year that russian army conducts ecological terror in Ukraine. It is hard to overrate the destructive consequences that this war brings for environment – one-third of forests is damaged, one-third of the territory is mined, many nature parks hosting rare species are under occupation. It is not easy to read about Ukrainian ecocide almost every other day. This newspiece about explosion of hydropower station and flooding in southern Ukraine was another shock. My colleagues already claim that the consequences for environment and economics remain tangible for many years. The publicity can not stay aside this large-scale anthropogenic ecological disaster, and we shall trace its impact on environment and climate, and inform our abroad colleagues and donors”, – says executive director, NGO “Ekoltava”, councellor, Ukrainian climate network, Yuliya Melnyk.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian climate network prepares an appeal from Ukrainian publicity to international community to support Ukraine more actively in counteracting ecocide done by russian aggressors. 

Moreover, human rights organization “Ecology Law Human” has already prepared its appeal to international community.

Ekoltava joins these appeals and call the world community upon proper reaction to these ruinous crimes against Ukrainian environment.

russians must be adequately punished for their ecocide against Ukraine!

Picture: Maxar