CHAIRMAN OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE
17/7-2023/124067
Dear Сolleague,
On 6 June 2023, the russian federation and its occupying forces blew up the dam of the
Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, located near the town of Nova Kakhovka in the
temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region. Dozens of settlements on both sides of
the Dnipro river were flooded, which endangered the lives and well-being of tens of thousands
of Ukrainians.
Undermining of the Kakhovka HPP dam, which has been planned, prepared and widely
discussed by the russian propaganda for a long time, is a large-scale terrorist act against
Ukrainian critical infrastructure which purpose was to cause as many victims and destruction
as possible.
The catastrophic environmental consequences are still difficult to assess, but there is no doubt
that it is the largest technological disaster in Europe in recent decades, which also creates
additional nuclear risks due to a water level decrease at another russia`s occupied facility of
critical infrastructure – the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
I am deeply convinced that russia’s technological and ecological terrorism requires decisive
efforts of the world community. In this regard, Ukraine convened the urgent meeting of the
UN Security Council where it intends to bring the issue of the russian terrorist attack to the
consideration of the IAEA Board of Governors, as well as to engage the EU Civil
Protection
Mechanism.
As a Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, I call on your Parliament to reaffirm its political
support to Ukraine and work close with the government of your country to allocate
humanitarian aid to the inhabitants of the region who were forced to leave their homes, as
well as to provide all possible support to the relevant Ukrainian services which are working
to ensure safety of all those in need and eliminate the consequences of this extraordinary
disaster.
I also believe that the time has come to strengthen sanctions pressure on russia and increase
efforts to support the entire complex of Ukrainian actions to liberate our country from the
aggressor. I am convinced that thanks to our joint efforts and the unity shown by the entire
free world we will be able to win this war and restore peace in Europe.
Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.
Ruslan STEFANCHUK
Speakers of the Parliaments of the
EU and NATO member countries
Kyiv, 7 June 2023