Russia denies UN mission access to left bank in Kherson Oblast
Russia has refused to allow a humanitarian mission from the UN to reach the people on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast who have suffered as a result of the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP).
Source: statement by Denise Brown, UN Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs in Ukraine
Quote: "The United Nations has been engaging with the Governments of Ukraine and the Russian Federation regarding effective delivery of humanitarian aid to all people affected by the devastating destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.
The Government of the Russian Federation has so far declined our request to access the areas under its temporary military control."
Details: Brown's statement states that the UN will continue to work on finding access to people on the left bank in Kherson Oblast.
"We urge the Russian authorities to act in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law," the UN coordinator said.
Read also: "We are not afraid, we have sailed home." Ukrainska Pravda on high water and evacuation in Kherson
Background:
- On the night of 5-6 June 2023, the Russian occupiers blew up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, destroying the turbine hall and the plant itself, which is beyond repair now. The draining of the Kakhovka reservoir threatens the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
- The explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant caused an environmental disaster. Water from the reservoir flooded towns and villages, and evacuations began.
- The media reported that US intelligence indicated that Russia was most likely involved in the explosion. US satellites also recorded an explosion at the Kakhovka HPP shortly before it was destroyed.
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has begun an investigation into the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP by the Russians, with ICC representatives visiting Kherson Oblast.
- As of 18 June, 17 people are known to be dead as a result of the blowing up of the Kakhovka HPP, and 31 people are considered missing.
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