Zelensky Calls for International Expert Investigation
Turkiye Also Proposes Formation of International Inquiry Committee for Russia and Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on the 7th (local time) that Russia is clearly behind the explosion of the Kakhovka Dam in southern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine, calling it a "barbaric act."
In an interview with Germany's Bild on the same day, President Zelensky said, "I am convinced that the tragedy happened because of Russia and those controlling the region. It is not surprising."
He explained, "Russia is afraid that we will launch a major counteroffensive in that area," adding, "They know they will be defeated in battle and are trying to prolong and complicate the restoration of our territory in this area." He continued, "We had information for a year, including that mines were being planted on the dam, indicating that something would happen," and explained, "Everyone said that if we entered the area to reclaim territory, the enemy was highly likely to blow up the dam."
The day before, the Kakhovka Dam, which is 30 meters high and 3.2 kilometers long, collapsed due to an explosion in Kherson Oblast in southern Ukraine, which is occupied by Russia. As a result, seven residents went missing, and tens of thousands evacuated.
President Zelensky emphasized that "since the Kakhovka Dam was occupied by Russian forces, we cannot present evidence that the Russian military blew up the dam," and stressed the need for international experts to participate in an on-site investigation. He also criticized the lack of relief activities by the United Nations and the Red Cross.
He said, "When our military or rescuers try to save people, the occupiers shoot from a distance." He added, "Now, nothing Russia does?torture, sexual violence?is surprising anymore," and fiercely condemned Russia, saying, "These are all things that actually happened and are the way they conduct war."
On the other hand, President Putin blamed Ukraine for the dam explosion. In a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, he called it a "barbaric act that caused a large-scale environmental and humanitarian disaster," and criticized, "Ukraine continues to rely on escalating hostile acts under the proposal of Western planners. They are committing war crimes and openly using terrorist methods to organize sabotage within Russian territory."
President Erdo?an, who has positioned himself as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, proposed the formation of an international investigative committee to clarify the dam explosion incident to both President Putin and President Zelensky.
Meanwhile, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned that the dam collapse would worsen the global food crisis. Martin Frick, WFP's Germany director, said, "The dam collapse caused massive flooding that damaged newly planted crops," adding, "Hope is disappearing for the 345 million hungry people worldwide who depend on Ukrainian grain."
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