After the explosion of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine, the official death toll has risen to at least 62. The real number of victims is probably much higher. Kiev leaders immediately declared the “biggest man-made catastrophe in decades” after the dam burst, for which the Ukrainian side blames the Russian occupiers. During her visit to Kiev on Thursday, Swedish environmental icon Greta Thunberg lamented that the world had “underreacted” to the catastrophe.
The dam on the Dnipro River in the Russian-occupied territory was partially destroyed on June 6. Large amounts of water escaped and flooded large areas. Kiev and Moscow accuse each other of being responsible for the collapse of the dam. The livelihoods of nearly half a million people will be destroyed for years by the destruction of agricultural areas. And: due to the floods, the possible deployment area for the Ukrainian army for the counteroffensive has become many times smaller.
Selenskyj an Thunberg: “Professional help needed”
Thunberg went to Kiev on Thursday along with former Swedish Prime Minister Margot Wallström, Irish President Mary Robinson and Finnish Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala. Its environmental task force is to help force Russia to compensate for the blown dam and other war-related environmental damage over the past 16 months.
“We need your professional help,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said as the group was welcomed.
“I don’t think the world’s response to this ecocide was enough,” Thunberg said, according to Ukrainian media. “I don’t think a reaction can be enough. Because there are simply no words to describe this brutality.” Zelenskyj also reported on drinking and industrial water supply problems in Kherson and in the neighboring Mykolaiv region, damaging the region’s agricultural sector and biological diversity.
Former Vice President Pence also in Kiev
Former US Vice President Mike Pence was also in Kiev on Thursday. In doing so, he also made clear his position in the competition for the US Republican presidential candidacy for the 2024 election. “It is vital that America continues to lead on the world stage. That we stand up to the naked aggression we’ve seen here,” the 64-year-old said in an NBC interview.
“The war here in Ukraine is not our war, but freedom is our fight,” Pence said in the conversation released Thursday. Supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia is in the national interest of the United States.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
