The blackout in Russia's Crimea peninsula is a criminal act that must be investigated, a German Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.
The Crimean blackout began on Sunday, after Ukrainian extremist groups blew up power line pylons on the Ukrainian side of the border. The Ukrainian power utility has thus far been unable to repair the pylons, as extremists maintain access to the site and local police have not been able to gain access.
Around 2.5 million residents of Crimea have been left with no constant electricity supply as a result.
"Attacks on Ukraine's public infrastructure, including that providing Crimea with electricity, are criminal acts. We expect them to be perceived as such and investigated by Ukrainian officials," Martin Schaefer said.
German media also criticized the attacks, with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung commentator Reinhard Veser writing that the attacks show criminal negligence toward the peninsula's residents, which could also lead to tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian energy utility Ukrenergo previously said that the power line downing caused considerable difficulties, including the forced shut-off of several power stations. The utility warned that shutoffs at nuclear reactors in the area could lead to accidents.
