16/05/2022 10:40

Commissioner: Rashists continue to cause man-made and environmental disasters in Ukraine

Since the beginning of the large-scale russian invasion, 231 occupiers' crimes against the environment have been recorded in Ukraine and in the Black Sea.  Most cases of ecocide were recorded in Kyiv and Donetsk oblasts.

Rocket fire and bombing have caused the most damage to infrastructure and industrial facilities, which in turn has a significant impact on the environment.

Large-scale fires caused by Russia's military actions lead to toxic pollution of air, land and water resources with harmful substances throughout Ukraine.  Rashists create man-made and ecological catastrophes, destroy natural territories, threaten the lives of millions of people and animals not only in Ukraine but also abroad.

In the midst of hostilities, it is difficult to determine the amount of environmental pollution and the amount of damage.  Even after the end of the war, some environmental consequences will be felt for years.

Russia's actions in Ukraine violate the requirements of Part 3 of Article 38 of the Protocol to the Geneva Convention, which prohibits the use of methods or means of hostilities that are intended to cause or are expected to cause widespread, long-term and serious damage to the environment.

I call on the UN Commission for Investigation Human Rights Violations during the Russian Invasion of Ukraine to take into account these facts of human rights violations in Ukraine.