Volodymyr Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed shock at the failure of the United Nations and the Red Cross to assist following the demolition of the gigantic Kakhovka dam as his prime minister sought for international assistance.
“Despite the fact that the disaster occurred many hours ago, they are not here. We have had no response. I am shocked”, Zelensky told German media.
Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, has urged international humanitarian organizations to provide immediate assistance.
In a video posted on Telegram, the prime minister stated, “The Russian occupiers don’t even make an effort to help these people, they have left them to perish”.
“We appeal to you to take charge of evacuating people from the territory of Kherson oblast occupied by Russia. We must save the lives of people whom the occupiers have condemned to death”, Denys Shmyhal added.
According to Zelensky, Russian soldiers were shooting from a distance as rescue efforts were underway.
He said, “As soon as our helpers try to save them, they are shot at”.
Ukrainian President later stated on Telegram that he had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron about the environmental and humanitarian situation in the Kherson region.
He further said, “I laid out Ukraine’s general needs in dealing with the disaster. And we discussed the possibility of involving international mechanisms to investigate its causes”.
“And I discussed the possibility of the IAEA (U.N. nuclear watchdog) and (its chief) Rafael Grossi strengthening control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant”, Zelensky added.
The IAEA reported on Tuesday that a massive pond for the power plant above the reservoir of the ruptured dam is full and has enough water for several months.
Also read: Ukraine: Flooding Caused By Dam Breach Covers 600 Square Kilometres
