The Destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam and International Humanitarian Law: Some Preliminary Thoughts

Jun 6, 2023 | Marko Milanovic
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This morning the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine was destroyed, in circumstances which remain unclear. Thousands of people are in peril, while the devastation of downstream communities and the environment will be immense. The dam appears to have collapsed, and the reservoir behind it is now draining at speed. In this post, the author will briefly set out the relevant framework of international humanitarian law regarding attacks against dams, and how it applies to the facts as we know them.