More than 900 international law, environmental and peacebuilding experts and 156 organizations warned Thursday that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine poses “profound risks” to the environment of Ukraine and the greater European region, in addition to the risks that the conflict represents for the sovereignty and Human Rights of the Ukrainian people. The letter published on Thursday first stated that the undersigned experts and organizations stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people “in the face of an aggressive invasion of their country by the Russian Federation in clear violation of international law and the fundamental right of the Ukrainian people.” Ukrainian people to democratic self-determination. The letter then went on to discuss the “potentially catastrophic environmental impacts” of the conflict. The letter noted concern over the Russian seizure of the Chernobyl power plant. He stated that other sites, such as any of Ukraine’s 15 nuclear reactors, are also at risk. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported missile attacks near other radioactive waste disposal facilities. The attacks have also caused fires in fuel storage areas and the rupture of a gas pipeline in Kharkiv as a result of the conflict. According to the letter, these actions, including damage to infrastructure, “are clear violations of international law.” The undersigned experts and organizations called on Russia to stop attacking and fighting near nuclear and chemical facilities immediately. They also called on the international community to protect environmental defenders in Ukraine and mobilize resources for a “rapid and remote environmental assessment of the conflict.” The letter ended with a call to the relevant authorities to monitor and investigate possible violations of human rights and international environmental law. On the same day, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights confirmed that there were 802 civilian casualties in Ukraine in the first week of conflict. Of those 802 casualties, 249 died and 553 were injured. On Friday, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to establish the International Independent Commission of Inquiry, which aims to investigate alleged human rights violations by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.