The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine accused Russia on Sunday of obstructing the delivery of aid to victims of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in areas it controls in southern Ukraine.
The Kakhovka hydroelectric dam, located in an area under Russian control in the Kherson region, was destroyed on June 6. Hundreds of square kilometers downstream were flooded, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents and raising fears of both a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe.
“The government of the Russian Federation has so far refused our request for access to these areas temporarily under its military control,” coordinator Denise Brown said in a statement.
“The United Nations will continue to do everything in its power to reach everyone, including those who are suffering from the consequences of the recent destruction of the dam and who urgently need help to survive, wherever they are. be,” she added.
“We urge the Russian authorities to act in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law,” she continued.
On Saturday, authorities in Russian-controlled areas announced the death toll at 29. The balance sheet in the area controlled by Ukraine has also increased to 16 dead and 31 missing, according to kyiv.
The two countries accuse each other of blowing up the dam.
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