Two years after the Russian full-scale invasion, our thoughts and hearts are with the people of Ukraine. A decade of Russian war against Ukraine, and especially since February 2022, we have seen death, violence, abductions, massacres, human rights violations and environmental destruction, every single day, on a horrific scale. Greenpeace stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We call on the International community to significantly intensify its measures to reduce humanitarian suffering, to help protect the people of Ukraine..
Since the very beginning of Russia’s full scale invasion in 2022, Greenpeace has strived to support the people of Ukraine. Together with Ukrainian NGOs we were the first in Ukraine to install green energy technologies in a rebuild of a destroyed outpatient clinic in the Kyiv region. From 2022 Greenpeace has started to support Ukraine in a very tangible way: in several places in Ukraine Greenpeace is supporting reconstruction efforts by repairing buildings and infrastructure damaged by the war and combining this with environmentally based modernization. The use of solar energy and energy efficiency measures in reconstruction combine the need for rehabilitation with a transition to a more resilient and sustainable system. This, what we call ‘green reconstruction’, makes infrastructure more environmentally friendly, economically sustainable but also less vulnerable to military attacks. A good example of green reconstruction’ is the hospital of Horenka (Butcha). In the future we want to cooperate with entire cities in order to support their efforts for green reconstruction. Inspired by these examples, similar initiatives have been taken by other communities across Ukraine helping to build resilience against continued Russian attacks and provide renewable energy to society. Greenpeace is also training and encouraging community representatives (in workshops, camps and a study tour abroad) to follow these positive examples and to form a network of green communities.
Moreover, already two days before the actual attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in March 2022, our first report detailed how vulnerable the reactors were to damage to the electrical grid and loss of cooling water and how this causes an enormous threat to people in Ukraine and well beyond. In the two years since we have published further assessments on Rosatom’s business with European nuclear companies and why there needs to be sanctions to stop the trade with the criminal nuclear company. We published the McKenzie report which used satellite imagery to show how Russian armed forces use the site as a launch pad for rocket attacks on the people of Nikopol. Moreover, in partnership with Ukraine NGO SaveDnipro, we are providing additional support to the population in Southern Ukraine by supplying and installing radiation sensors with the aim of adding to the existing public information network in the case of a severe emergency radiological event at one of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.
After the Russian de-occupation of Chornobyl an international team from Greenpeace conducted the first independent radiation survey in July 2022. Supported by Ukrainian scientists and officials from the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management, we documented Russian war crimes in Chornobyl. It was alarming to hear about Russian armed forces deliberate destruction of scientific equipment, theft of computers and unique historical radiation data vital to the important work of Ukraine scientists at Chornobyl. As we measured radiation in the trenches made by Russian military near the highly contaminated Red Forest, their complete disregard for nuclear safety and protection of the environment was clear.
On the 6th of June 2023, we condemned the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam by the Russia armed forces. Our experts released a report based on satellite imagery on the consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam for ecology and for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. We are honored to be able to work with Ukraines human rights investigators, in particular Truth Hounds, as they undertake vital work to document Russian war crimes. Greenpeace is determined to continue its investigations and to collect evidence to warrant prosecution of Russia for international war crimes against the environment. Greenpeace is committed to use its expertise to help document these crimes for a future tribunal.
Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine is a defining moment in the post 1945 world order and a clear violation of the United Nations charter that ensures the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. The devastating human, economic, environmental and security consequences for Ukraine have also had unprecedented regional and worldwide impacts. It is therefore a global priority that Russia’s illegal war must not be permitted to prevail. And yet, on this 2nd anniversary of the full scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, we must acknowledge that the imposed international sanctions and aid and support provided by the International community has been insufficient to free Ukraine from Russia’s aggression. We believe that the international community must step up significantly its efforts in order to grant the people of Ukraine their legal right to a life in peace and sustainability. In the upcoming months and years, Greenpeace will intensify its support to Ukraine on its pathway towards green reconstruction and recovery.
