Ukraine: Ukraine’s military has accused Russian forces of blowing up a major dam in southern Ukraine, a claim denied by the Moscow-installed official in the affected region. The dam’s destruction is believed to be an attempt to hinder the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukrainian officials have described the consequences as catastrophic, warning of extensive damage to settlements and the environment. The scale of destruction is currently being assessed, and concerns are mounting over potential flooding along the Dnipro River.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ southern command and military administration for the Kherson region have urged residents in the vicinity of the right bank of the river to prepare for evacuation. The rising water levels pose a significant threat, with approximately 16,000 people residing in the critical zone. President Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened an emergency meeting of the national security council in response to the attack on the dam.
Mr. Zelenskyy condemned the destruction of the dam, attributing it to “Russian terrorists” and calling for their expulsion from Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, the Moscow-installed mayor of Mr. Nova Kakhovka claimed that the dam had been hit by Ukrainian shelling. The dam has long been viewed as a potential target due to its strategic significance. It supplies water and irrigation to Russian-occupied Crimea, and its destruction could impede any Ukrainian ground offensive towards Crimea by making it harder to cross the Dnipro River.
Russian terrorists. The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam only confirms for the whole world that they must be expelled from every corner of Ukrainian land. Not a single meter should be left to them, because they use every meter for terror. It’s only… pic.twitter.com/ErBog1gRhH
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 6, 2023
Unverified videos on social media captured intense explosions around the Kakhovka dam, with subsequent footage showing water surging through the breached structure. The dam, built in 1956 as part of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station, stands at 30 meters tall and spans 3.2 kilometers. It is the last dam along the Dnipro River controlled by Russian forces. Ukraine controls the other five dams, which are vital for the country’s drinking water and power supply.
The destruction of the dam has raised concerns about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant upstream. While Ukraine’s nuclear operator, Energoatom, stated that the situation is currently controllable, a severe drop in the reservoir could impact cooling systems and disrupt the water supply to northern Crimea. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that its experts are closely monitoring the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and assured the public that there is no immediate nuclear safety risk.
As tensions escalate between Ukraine and Russia, the dam’s destruction marks a significant development with potential far-reaching consequences. The international community continues to closely follow the situation, hoping to mitigate the impact on civilians and critical infrastructure in the region.
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