Ukraine accuses Russia of terrorism after dam is blown up

Ukraine has accused Russia of blowing up the Kakhovka dam in the south of Ukraine.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ukraine Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said the dam held 18.3 cubic kilometres of water.

The minister said residents living in the area have been affected by floods.

"In the early hours of June 6, 2023, Russian forces blew up the Kakhovka dam in the occupied territory in the south of Ukraine. This massive concrete structure held 18.3 cubic kilometres of water," he said.

Minister Kuleba added that President Zelenskyy convened National Security and Defense Council to discuss the issue.

Kuleba said Russia's move to bomb the dam was a terrorist act and will be discussed with the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors.

"We will also cooperate with the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism and other international mechanisms to mitigate consequences and bring Russia to account," he said.

"In light of developments on the battlefield, Russia's deliberate and long-planned terrorist act turned the man-made flood into a weapon."

Kuleba said Ukrainian law enforcement and emergency services were working hard to mitigate the consequences and save lives.

Minister Kuleba said they are concerned that the floods will harm the environment and ecosystems.

"Animals in the Nova Kakhovka zoo have already died in the rising water, and this is only the beginning of harm for fauna in the south of Ukraine, along the Dnipro river, and in the Black Sea."

He said the country is witnessing ecocide on a regional scale.

The minister called on all governments and international organizations to condemn Russia's actions and support President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula.

He called on the European Union and G7 member states to impose new devastating sanctions on Russia, including its missile industry and atomic energy sphere.

Minister Kuleba said Russia will be held accountable for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam and other crimes.