ON THE ISSUE OF ECOCIDE IN THE CONTEXT OF FULL-SCALE INVASION

Abstract

The article states that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine
has suffered unprecedented blows not only to civilian infrastructure, higher
education institutions, unique domestic enterprises, but also to the environment.
The provisions of the World Charter for Nature 1982 and the Rio de Janeiro
Declaration on Environment and Development 1992 are considered. It is noted
that currently, in the context of the consequences of a full-scale armed invasion,
there is a need to rethink the provisions of these international documents, in
particular, in the context of condemning not only the use of certain weapons that
harm the environment, but also the methods and tactics of their application, in
particular, in terms of the inadmissibility of targeted attacks on nuclear power
plants, hydroelectric power plants, biosphere reserves, including attacks in the
immediate vicinity of them, when the downing of a missile or drone by air defense
forces can lead to irreparable consequences for nature and all of humanity.
The admissibility of the possibility of committing ecocide not only in
wartime, but also in peacetime is substantiated. The manifestations of ecocide in
Ukraine in the context of a full-scale invasion are analyzed, in particular, the direct
destruction of hydroelectric power plants and attempts to damage nuclear power
plants (the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant by the Russian
army in 2023); indirect consequences of rocket attacks, which include difficult
access for the population to drinking water, proper sanitation, electricity, and
deterioration of air quality.