Global Courant
Ukrainian officials have blamed Russian forces for the Kakhovka dam attack, accusing them of committing a war crime.
But what do the laws of war say about this issue?
Dams are protected by the laws of war and the Geneva Convention. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam, or one similar to it, would be considered a weapon of mass destruction and an indiscriminate war crime.
Article 56 of Additional Protocol I of 1977 states:
“Works and installations containing dangerous forces, namely dams, dams and nuclear power generating stations, shall not be the object of attack, even when these objects are military objectives, if such an attack could cause the release of dangerous forces and how resulting in heavy losses among the civilian population.
Other military objectives located on or in the vicinity of such works or installations shall not be attacked if such an attack could cause the release of dangerous forces from the works or installations and consequent heavy casualties among the civilian population.”
Russia has denied being behind the blast and instead blames Ukraine for the destruction.
Global Courantl
Is attacking a dam considered a war crime?
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