Russian forces responsible for 100 cases of ecocide and 1,200 incidents of environmental damage – Denisova

Ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova posted about this issue in her Telegram channel.

"There are now more than 100 cases of ecocide and more than 1,200 facts of negative impact on the environment (explosion of shells, burning of forests, chemical pollution, etc.) have been recorded. Under Article 441 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, ecocide is the mass destruction of flora or fauna, and covers other actions that could lead to an environmental catastrophe", she said.

The most severe cases are seen in Russian forces’ attacks on Ukrainian nuclear power plants, infrastructure and industrial facilities, nature reserves and ecosystems, and water resources. The purposeful destruction of nature and environmental pollution by Russian forces will have long-term consequences not only for Ukraine, but also for many countries elsewhere in the world.

Ecocide leads to the disappearance of flora, the extinction of fauna, and the poisoning of the atmosphere or water resources. Denisova therefore argues that there is a clear and present need to introduce a single, effective mechanism to counter these crimes, because its impact has such a high risk of spreading across borders.

"The Russian Federation’s actions in Ukraine violate not only national, but also international law and customs. First, this violates the UN Charter, as well as part three of Article 38 I of the Protocol of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits the use of methods or means of warfare aimed at inflicting or expected to cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment", said Lyudmyla Denisova.

She called on the UN Human Rights Council to investigate human rights violations during the Russian military invasion of Ukraine and to take these facts into account.