The European Commission has stated that Russia should bear primary responsibility for the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) since it started the war against Ukraine. 

Dana Spinant, spokeswoman for the European Commission, was responding to criticism from a Chinese correspondent at a briefing on Friday 9 June who questioned the European Commission’s unequivocal condemnation of Russia for the incident despite there not having been an investigation into the causes of the explosion. 

"You of course know as well as we do that Russia started this war, that Russia drops bombs and shells [cities – ed.], while the Ukrainians are defending themselves. Russia bears primary responsibility for what is happening in Ukraine. That is the first statement you should have in mind when you are looking into this or any other incident," the spokeswoman said. 

She added that the Commission condemns the continued attacks by the Russian Federation, whatever form they might take, on the territory of Ukraine. 

Spinant said that the EU would "make every effort" to support people who have been affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP.

Earlier, Josep Borrell, the European Union’s top diplomat, called on Russia to stop its bombardment, as this is endangering rescue operations in areas flooded after the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP.

The European Union has also activated its Civil Protection Mechanism to provide help to people affected by the flooding.