Ukraine conducts ecological assessment of the Kerch bridge built by Russia
Ukraine has conducted an environmental assessment of the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge, in order to initiate a trial at the international level. Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko discussed the assessment at a press briefing, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.
"This aspect of our work is very important as it may counteract a possible ecological catastrophe that may arise from the construction of the Kerch Bridge." Today, an environmental assessment is underway as part of the criminal proceedings of the Crimean Prosecutor's Office," he said.
According to Lutsenko, in case the possibility of an environmental catastrophe is confirmed, officials in Kyiv will appeal to the countries of the Black Sea cooperation (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, and Turkey) "with a proposal to establish a joint investigation team to conduct a pre-trial investigation, and then a judicial hearing on the construction of this bridge."
"Prospects are likely here – both as condemnation in absentia, as well as economic sanctions," the Prosecutor General underlined.
In September, President Petro Poroshenko ordered the preparation of a lawsuit against Russia as a result of environmental damage from the Kerch Strait Bridge construction.
In addition, it was reported in August that Ukraine was preparing a lawsuit against the Russian Federation because of ports’ losses due to the Kerch Strait Bridge.