This morning's explosions, with which the Russian occupation troops destroyed most of the dam of the lowest level of the Dnieper cascade, the Nova Kakhovka, have caused a flood wave that is threatening tens of thousands of civilians. Dozens of villages on the right bank of the Dnieper are being evacuated, and the port areas of Kherson are expected to be flooded, as well as widespread flooding on the right bank.

The destruction of the dam represents a further humanitarian, ecological and technological disaster brought to Ukraine by Russian aggression: people are losing their homes and shelter, drinking and supply water sources are threatened in the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions as well as in Crimea, agricultural land is being degraded and Ukraine is losing another energy source.

The Kakhovka reservoir is an important source of water for the cooling technology of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Thus, today's crime is yet another Russian move that threatens nuclear safety. Fortunately, according to a statement by Ukraine's Energoatom, the plant is prepared for such a situation. However, this in no way diminishes the unacceptability of Russia's actions.

The attack on the Nova Kakhovka dam and power station constitutes a war crime under Article 56 of Additional Protocol I to the 1977 Geneva Conventions relative to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts. This is neither the first nor the last article of the Geneva Conventions that Russia is systematically violating in Ukraine.

Today's heinous act is further proof of the recklessness of Russian aggression and reaffirms that Russia's aim is the suffering of the citizens of Ukraine. Czechia will continue to assist Ukraine and its citizens in their just defence against the Russian aggression and in the struggle for the liberation of all occupied territories. We reiterate our full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and territorial waters.