DISINFO: UN denies water ecocide of Crimea by Ukraine
SUMMARY
The UN is pursuing a deceitful and hypocritical policy towards Crimea, Donbas, and Novorossiya, without condemning Ukraine in any way for the water blockade of the peninsula and the undermining of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the invasion of Ukraine and sham referendums in occupied Ukrainian territories.
The water supply to occupied Crimea was stopped by Ukraine in May 2014. Continuation of water supplies would be possible if Russia, the occupying state, complies with the conditions for signing the contract put forward by the Ukrainian authorities. Ukraine demanded that Russia, in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution of March 27, 2014, recognise Crimea as an occupied territory. Russia refused these conditions.
In 2021, Russia filed an interstate claim with the European Court of Human Rights. The Kremlin, among other things, tried to blame Ukraine for the 'water blockade' of Crimea. The court rejected the Russian request on this point back in July 2021. Two years later – on July 18, 2023 – the ECHR, after a thorough examination of the materials and evidence presented by the Russian side, and also taking into account the behaviour of the Russian Federation and the lack of any cooperation, refused Russia’s claim and removed it from the register of cases.
According to international law, it is Russia, as the occupying country, that has the obligation to provide the occupied territories with everything necessary (Section III, Part III of the Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949 relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War). This fact has been repeatedly confirmed by the UN Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. UN experts insist that given the occupation of the Crimean peninsula, the Kremlin bears the primary responsibility for ensuring that the civilian population of Crimea has access to water, electricity, food, medicine and other vital necessities.
The Nova Kakhovka dam was captured by Russia at the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has been held by it ever since. The evidence suggests it was blown up from within. The circumstances of the destruction of the station are being investigated by the United States, the United Kingdom, the UN Commission and the International Criminal Court. Ukraine not only initiated investigations, but also fully cooperated with independent experts, providing full access to the affected areas, witnesses, all information and evidence. Russia does not allow independent experts, observers or humanitarian workers into the territory of the former Kakhovka hydroelectric power station.
Read a similar case claiming that Ukraine plans to destroy another hydroelectric power station to blame Russia and Ukraine has been holding the water blockade of Crimea for revenge.