The Security Service of Ukraine announced in absentia suspicions against two Russian generals who organized the bombing and subsequent destruction of the Oskilskaya Dam in the Kharkiv region in the fall of 2022.
Points of attention
- Two Russian generals, Tsokov and Makovetsky, are suspected by the SSU of orchestrating the destruction of the Oskil Dam in Ukraine, leading to extensive environmental harm.
- The actions of the Russian Federation violated laws of war and ecocide, causing an uncontrolled leak of water from the reservoir over 120 sq. km area and nearly 4 billion UAH worth of environmental damage.
- Tsokov and Makovetsky face suspicions under criminal charges for violating laws and customs of war and for committing ecocide in a premeditated conspiracy.
Two Russian generals received suspicion from the SSU
The destruction of the dam was led by the commander of the 20th Combined Arms Army of the Western Military District of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, and the commander of the 6th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense, Lieutenant General Oleg Makovetsky.
On September 12, 2022, by order of Tsokov, the occupiers mined and blew up the shield of the first gate and the roadblock between the hydroelectric power station building and the gallery of stationary mechanisms. At the same time, Russian aviation groups under the command of Makovetsky covered enemy sappers from the air.
After that, from September 13 to 30, 2022, Russian bombers regularly bombed the dam with high-explosive and guided bombs of the FAB-250, FAB-500, OFAB-500SHL, and KAB-1500 types.
These actions of the Russian Federation led to an uncontrolled leakage of water from the reservoir area over an area of over 120 sq. km. A comprehensive examination established that the environment suffered damage of almost 4 billion UAH.
Tsokov and Makovetsky were informed of suspicions under two articles of the Criminal Code: violation of the laws and customs of war committed by a group of persons in prior conspiracy; and ecocide committed by a group of persons in prior conspiracy.
At the same time, the Security Service adds that information about Tsokov's alleged death in the war in Ukraine is currently being verified.
His death is not a reason to stop the criminal investigation. Comprehensive measures are underway to punish Russian war criminals, the article summarizes.
