DISINFO: Ukraine responsible for humanitarian catastrophe in Crimea
SUMMARY
Ukraine is responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe in Crimea, which reunited with Russia in 2014. Kyiv cut the water supplies from the peninsula, which left thousands of people without fresh water.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media outlets, claiming that Ukrainian authorities are to blame for the sharp deterioration of the ecological situation in Crimea.
It is true that Crimea has been suffering from environmental problems since Russia illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula in 2014. Ukraine cut off water and electricity supplies from the occupied territories. Ukraine is not obliged to supply water to Crimea because this responsibility is, under international law, borne by the occupier, that is by the Russian Federation. Water shortages have led to land degradation, drought, and a decrease in agricultural production. However, Moscow’s claims about Kyiv’s responsibility for these problems are unsubstantiated. Before the annexation, the Ukrainian peninsula had been receiving 85 per cent of its fresh water through a canal from the mainland. All responsibility for these problems in Crimea falls on Russia because its 2014 invasion led to these consequences.
Contrary to Moscow’s official position claiming that Crimea reunited with Russia in the wake of a legal and democratic referendum, the United Nations and other international organisations do not recognise the annexation. The UN issued a resolution on 27 March 2014, which backed Ukraine’s territorial integrity and declared the Crimea referendum invalid. The European Union does not recognise the annexation and continues to strongly condemn this violation of international law. In response to the illegal annexation of Crimea, the EU has imposed restrictive measures against the Russian Federation.
Read more disinformation narratives claiming that Ukraine must resume water supplies to Crimea.