UN accuses Russia of blocking aid to victims of Kherson dam collapse

"The Government of the Russian Federation has so far refused our requests for access to areas under its temporary military control," UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine Denise Brown said on June 18.

“The United Nations will continue to do all it can to reach all people, including those suffering from the consequences of the recent dam collapse, who need urgent life-saving assistance, wherever they are,” she said. “We call on the Russian authorities to act in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law.”

Russia has not commented on the above information.

The Kakhovka hydroelectric dam on the Dnieper River, in the Russian-controlled part of Kherson province, collapsed on June 6, causing water in the reservoir to overflow downstream, submerging many residential areas, villages and some urban areas along the river.

On June 17, officials in Russian-controlled areas said the death toll from the dam collapse had risen to 29, while Ukraine said the death toll on its territory had risen to 16, with 31 people still missing.

Devastation downstream after Kherson dam collapse

Kiev and Moscow have accused each other of destroying the dam, without providing evidence. It is unclear whether the dam was attacked deliberately or due to structural failure.

Vu Hoang (According to AFP )