On the destruction of the Kakhovka dam

Statement by the FPU trade union confederation

On the night of 6 June, the dam at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station was blown up by the Russian occupying forces. Its destruction is yet another act of terrorism which, along with Russia's constant attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, demonstrates the racists' true aim - the genocide of the Ukrainian people. The consequences of the greatest environmental disaster since the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station are impressive: around 16,000 people on the right bank of the Dnieper are in a critical zone, with 80 settlements threatened by flooding. These people are being forced to evacuate, to leave their homes and farms, and to lose their jobs and livelihoods.

The Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine strongly condemns the Russian terror against the Ukrainian people. This audacious act of terrorism demonstrates once again the true essence of the "Russian peace" ideology. But we are firmly convinced that the Kakhovka disaster perpetrated by Russian terrorists will not stop Ukraine and Ukrainians in their quest for freedom and independence, victory!

The Federation of Trade Unions is calling on all trade union organisations, union members, spas and hotels to provide the necessary assistance to those evacuated from the flooded area.

Statement by the KVPU trade union confederation

On 6 June 2023, a Russian aggressor committed a new act of global terrorism in Ukraine and caused a large-scale man-made accident in Ukraine and Europe. The Kakhovka hydroelectric power station (HES), long occupied by the Russians, was mined and dynamited by the Russians. [...]

Towns and villages, buildings, infrastructure and businesses will be destroyed by water. The mechanism that has been destroying the environment and the ecosystem for many years has been set in motion. The pollution of businesses and their products, for example petroleum products and chemical materials, will lead to mass pollution, and the health and epidemiological crisis will not be delayed. We already know that more than 450 tonnes of motor oil, which was in the turbines and transformers, ended up in the water. [...]

At the same time, delegations from the terrorist country Russia and its acolyte Belarus will take part in the work of the 111e annual ILO Conference in Geneva from 5 to 16 June 2023. A terrorist country which, according to the Geneva Convention, commits a war crime by blowing up the dam at the Kakhovskaya nuclear power station, should be expelled from all international organisations and associations.

We call on the international trade union federations to make statements on the inadmissibility of the participation of Russia and Belarus in the work of the ILO Conference and other ILO events!

And we are also calling for increased aid to Ukraine in various directions to speed up Ukraine's victory and hold Russia accountable.

We stress that by destroying the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station, Russia has once again committed a war crime and violated the norms of humanitarian and environmental law. This is a continuation of Russia's policy of destroying civilian objects, infrastructure and economic sectors in Ukraine with the aim of causing maximum loss of life and destruction. Russia has already caused 700 billion dollars worth of damage to Ukraine, in particular by destroying entire industrial towns and metallurgical and mining companies.

The Russian Federation must take international responsibility for all its crimes. We call on you to become the voice of Ukraine on international platforms. Help Ukraine restore peace and security to all its territories!