KHILCHEVSKYI V.K. WATER AND ARMED CONFLICTS – CLASSIFICATION FEATURES: IN THE WORLD AND IN UKRAINE
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2306-5680.2022.1.1
Hydrology, Hydrochemistry and Hydroecology. 2022. № 1 (63)
Publication language: Ukrainian
Authors:
Khilchevskyi V.K., Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
The purpose of this article is to study the concept of water conflicts, which can be unarmed and military (with the use of weapons), their classification features, to illustrate in practice the manifestations of water conflicts in the world and in Ukraine. The database of the Pacific Institute (USA), which monitors water conflicts, shows that water-related violence began several thousand years ago. Only for the period 2000-2022 this database contains about 900 cases of various water conflicts, of which about 15 are in Ukraine.
Water conflicts are divided into types based on the use of water, the impact on water, or the role of water during the conflict. Water is a trigger or root cause of conflict when there is a dispute over control of a water body, resulting in violence. Water is a weapon in conflict when a water body (water resources) is used as a tool or weapon in a violent conflict. Water is a victim when it becomes the object of deliberate or accidental violence. During hostilities, water (water infrastructure) often becomes a victim.
On the territory of Ukraine, one of the first water conflicts was recorded in 1941 – undermining the dam of the Dnieper hydroelectric power station by the Red Army, which retreated under the onslaught of German troops during the World War ІІ. The next wave of water conflicts on the territory of Ukraine is associated with the Russian-Ukrainian war, which began in 2014 – the Russian armed invasion of Crimea and its annexation in february-march 2014; war in eastern Ukraine (Donbass) since april 2014; full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine from february 24, 2022. According to the water conflicts recorded in the international database in Ukraine (mainly in the Donbas) during 2014-2022, the classification by type is as follows: 80% – water as a victim, 13 % – water as a weapon, 7% – water as a trigger. A number of water conflicts that have been taking place during the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine since February 24, 2022, have yet to be recorded in the international database (Mariupol, Mykolaiv, Vasylivka, etc.). A full assessment of the number and consequences of water conflicts on the territory of Ukraine, associated with the Russian-Ukrainian war, can be carried out after its completion.
Keywords: water conflicts, armed conflicts, water resources, water as a trigger, water as a weapon, water as a victim, Donbass, Russian invasion of Ukraine.
References:
1. Veselova V. «Kradut iz Dnipra». U Krym pishla voda Pivnichno-Krymskym kanalom [“They steal from the Dnieper.” Water went to the Crimea through the North Crimean Canal]. Krym. Realii. 2022 URL: https://ua.krymr.com/a/u-krym-pishla-voda-pivnicno-krymskym-kanalom/31760669.html
2. Zavdiaky rozlyvu richky Irpin i diiam ZSU voroh ne mozhe navesty perepravu, shchob posylyty nastup na Kyiv [Due to the flooding of the Irpin River and the actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy cannot establish a crossing in order to strengthen the offensive against Kyiv]. Texty.org.ua. URL: https://texty.org.ua/fragments/106074/zavdyaky-rozlyvu-richky-irpin-i-diyam-zsu-voroh-ne-mozhe-navesty-perepravu-shob-posylyty-nastup-na-kyyiv/
3. Ivaniuta S.P. Priorytety zberezhennia ta zabezpechennia nadiinoho funktsionuvannia systemy vodopostachannia Donbasu [Priorities for maintaining and ensuring the reliable functioning of the Donbas water supply system]. Analitychna zapyska. Natsionalnyi in-t strateh. doslidzhen. Seriia: Natsionalna bezpeka. 2019. № 4. S. 1-9.
4. Kyrylenko P. Remont poshkodzhenoho obstrilamy vodohonu potrebuie harantii “tyshi» [Repairing a water pipeline damaged by shelling requires guarantees of “silence”]. Ukrinform. 23.07.2020. URL: https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3068350-remontu-poskodzenogo-obstrilami-vodogonu-potrebue-garantij-tisi-kirilenko.html
5. Mokrushyn S. Realni pretenzii chy fars? Rosiia zvynuvachuie Ukrainu v «vodnomu ekotsydi» Krymu [Real claims or farce? Russia accuses Ukraine of “water ecocide” of Crimea]. Krym. Realii. 2021. URL: https://ua.krymr.com/a/slidkom-rosii-sprava-pro-ekotsyd-ukrainy-v-krymu-vodna-blokada/31431371.html
6. Mosov S. Viina [War]. Politychna entsyklopediia. K. Parlamentske vyd-vo, 2011. S. 105.
7. Okupanty zruinuvaly ochysni sporudy u Vasylivtsi [The invaders destroyed the wastewater treatment plant in Vasilivka]. Ofitsiinyi sait Zaporizkoi ODA. 14.03.2022. URL: https://www.zoda.gov.ua/news/59895/okupanti-zruynuvali-ochisni-sporudi-u-vasilivtsi.html
8. Stan baseinu Siverskoho Dintsia ta faktory vplyvu v umovakh viiskovykh dii [The state of the Seversky Donets basin and factors of influence in the conditions of hostilities]. Tekhnichnyi zvit. Koordynator proektiv OBSIe v Ukraini. 2018. 86 s. URL: https://www.osce.org/uk/project-coordinator-in-ukraine/419462
9. Topyly snih i zbyraly doshchovu vodu: mer Mariupolia pro te, yak vyzhyvaly liudy v zablokovanomu misti [They melted snow and collected rainwater: the mayor of Mariupol on how people survived in a blocked city]. 24 kanal. 27.03.2022. URL: https://24tv.ua/topili-snig-zbirali-doshhovu-vodu-mer-mariupolya-pro-te-yak-vizhivali_n1920623
10. Khyliuk D. Na dambi cherez richku Irpin pidirvano shliuzy: voda zatopliuie dolynu richky [Locks blown up on the dam across the Irpin River: water floods the river valley]. UNIAN. 26.02.2022 r.
11. Khilchevskyi V.K. Vodni konflikty u sviti i v Ukraini: Donbas [Water conflicts in the world and Ukraine: Donbas]. Mat-ly mizhn. nauk.-prakt. onlain-konferentsii «Pidzemni vody yak stratehichnyi resurs ekonomichnoho rozvytku derzhavy», prysviach. Vsesvit. dniu vod. resursiv. Kyiv: IVPiM NAANU, 2022. S. 14-15. URL: http://mivg.iwpim.com.ua/files/tezy2022.pdf
12. Khilchevskyi V.K. Hidrokhimichnyi slovnyk [Hydrochemical dictionary]. K.: DIA, 2022. 208 s.
13. Khilchevskyi V.K. Hlobalni vodni resursy: vyklyky KhKhI stolittia [Global Water Resources: Challenges of the 21st Century]. Visnyk Kyivskoho natsionalnoho universytetu imeni Tarasa Shevchenka. Heohrafiia. 2020. 1/2 (76/77). S. 6-16.
14. Khilchevskyi V.K. Suchasna kharakterystyka poverkhnevykh vodnykh obiektiv Ukrainy: vodotoky ta vodoimy [Modern characteristics of surface water bodies of Ukraine: watercourses and reservoirs]. Hidrolohiia, hidrokhimiia i hidroekolohiia. 2021. № 1(59). S. 17-27.
15. Khilchevskyi V.K. Kharakterystyka vodnykh resursiv Ukrainy na osnovi bazy danykh hlobalnoi informatsiinoi systemy FAO Aquastat [Characteristics of the water resources of Ukraine based on the database of the global information system FAO Aquastat]. Hidrolohiia, hidrokhimiia i hidroekolohiia. 2021. № 1(59). S. 6-16.
16. Shurkhalo D. 80 rokiv tomu pidirvaly DniproHES, shchob zupynyty nimtsiv. Skilky liudei zahynulo? [80 years ago, they blew up the DneproGES to stop the Germans. How many people died?]. Radio Svoboda. URL: https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/pidryv-dniprohes-u-1941-rotsi/31415294.html
17. 87 sil ta mistechok na Mykolaivshchyni vchora opynylys bez elektryky ta vody: yaka dopomoha potribna [87 villages and towns of Mykolaiv region were without electricity and water yesterday: what kind of help is needed]. TSN. 20.04.2022. URL: https://tsn.ua/video/video-novini/87-sil-ta-mistechok-na-mikolayivschini-vchora-opinilis-bez-elektriki-ta-vodi-yaka-dopomoga-potribna.html
18. Brown L.R. How water scarcity will shape the new century. Water Science & Technology. 2001. 43(4). P. 17-22.
19. Gleick P. Water and Conflict: Fresh Water Resources and International Security. International Security. 1993. 18(1). Р. 79-112.
20. Gleick P. Water, Drought, Climate Change, and Conflict in Syria. Weather, Climate, and Society. 2014. 6(3). Р. 331-340.
21. Khilchevskyi V.K. Water resources of Ukraine: assessment based on the FAO AQUASTAT database. Proceedings 15th International Scientific Conference on Monitoring of Geological Processes and Ecological Condition of the Environment, 2021. P.1–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.20215K2005
22. Khilchevskyi V.K., Grebin V.V., Sherstyuk N.P. Modern Hydrographic and Water management zoning of Ukraine’s territory in 2016 – implementation of the WFD-2000/60/EC. Electronic book with full papers from XXVIII Conference of Danubian countries on the hydrological forecasting and hydrological bases of water management. Kyiv, 2019. Р. 209-223. https://doi.org/10.15407/uhmi.conference.01.23
23. Khilchevskyi V., Karamushka V. Global Water Resources: Distribution and Demand. In: Leal Filho W., Azul A.M., Brandli L., Lange Salvia A., Wall T. (eds). Clean Water and Sanitation. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70061-8_101-1
24. Khilchevskyi V.К., Kurylo S.М., Sherstyuk N.P. Chemical composition of different types of natural waters in Ukraine. Journal of Geology, Geography and Geoecology. – 2018. – 27(1). – P. 68-80. URL: https://doi.org/10.15421/111832.
25. Khilchevskyi V.K., Mezentsev K.V. Water conflicts and Ukraine: Donbas region. Proceedings 15th International Scientific Conference on Monitoring of Geological Processes and Ecological Condition of the Environment. 2021. P. 1–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.20215K2004
26. Nascimento Firigato J.O. Water Level Monitoring of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam using SAR data. URL: https://joaootavionf007.medium.com/water-level-monitoring-of-grand-ethiopian-renaissance-dam-using-sar-data-aa5ecf7ce31
27. Pilav A. Before the War, War, After the War: Urban Imageries for Urban Resilience. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science. 2012. 3(1), 23–37.
28. Tignino M., Irmakkesen Ö. The Geneva List of Principles on the Protection of Water Infrastructure. Brill Research Perspectives in International Water Law. 2020. 5(2), 3-104.
29. UNICEF. Water Under Fire. 2019. URL: https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/en/stories/water-under-fire
30. Water and Armed Conflicts. URL: https://casebook.icrc.org/case-study/water-and-armed-conflicts
31. Water Conflict Chronology. 2022. Pacific Institute. URL: https://www.worldwater.org/water-conflict/
32. Water uses: FAO’s aquastat, 2016. URL: ttp://www.fao.org/aquastat/en/overview/methodology/water-use
33. Zemmali A. The protection of water in times of armed conflict. International Review of the Red Cross Archive, 1995. 35(308), 550–564
HOW TO CITE
Khilchevskyi, V.K. (2022). Water and armed conflicts – classification features: in the world and in Ukraine. Hidrolohiia, hidrokhimiia i hidroekolohiia [Hydrology, Hydrochemistry and Hydroecology], 1(63), 6-19 (in Ukrainian, abstr. in English). https://doi.org/10.17721/2306-5680.2022.1.1.