KHARKIV, UKRAINE, Mar 6 — The Russian military shelling of the Kharkiv Regional Centre for Vocational Education at 87 Hryhorii Skovoroda Street in Kharkiv caused contamination of land resources.  

The calculated damage to the ecosystem amounted to more than $8 Million, reported the State Environmental Inspectorate in the Kharkiv Oblast.

“This is an impressive figure showing financial losses and the terrible destruction. The damaged buildings have stopped performing their main function and have become a source of serious environmental threats. The walls that used to symbolize knowledge and learning have now turned into heavy and dangerous rubble,” the State Environmental Inspectorate in the Kharkiv region reported.

According to the inspection, the area contaminated with waste glass, reinforced concrete, bricks, plastic, wood, and other building materials is over 4,000 square meters.

The online platform Svidok.org [an archive of personal stories of Ukrainians about everyday life during the Russian full-scale invasion — ed.] launched a nationwide collection of testimonies about Russian war crimes against the environment in Ukraine. People can post stories about Russian ecocide on the platform and add photos and videos with evidence. All these testimonies will be submitted to the International Criminal Court, the Office of the Prosecutor General, and investigators.

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