According to the Ukrainian authorities, the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, which is located in the annexed part of the Kherson region, was blown up by the Russian occupying forces. The Russian side denies any connection with the incident.
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In the footage released by the official bodies of Ukraine, the collapsed section of the dam and flooded buildings can be seen. On the right-side bank of the Dnipro River, the population is being evacuated from the settlements that are at risk of flooding. At least 16 thousand people are at risk.
The Ukrainian state company Energoatom stated that the incident may negatively affect the operation of the nearby Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
“On the night of June, the 6th, Russian occupiers blew up the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. As a result of the explosion, the water level in the reservoir is dropping quickly, which creates an additional threat to the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Supplying water from the Kakhovka reservoir is necessary for the turbine capacitors and safety systems of the nuclear power plant,” stated Energoatom and added that the situation at the power plant is currently under control.
In connection with the incident, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine will hold a special meeting. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, by destroying the dam, Russian terrorists are only confirming to 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 Ukraine's victory that will return security. And this victory will come. The terrorists will not be able to stop Ukraine with water, missiles, or anything else,” wrote Zelensky.
According to Andriy Yermak, the head of the President's office, the Russian authorities are driven by the insane goal of stopping the advance of the Ukrainian defense forces, defeating them, and avoiding embarrassment: “The destruction of the Kakhovskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant is the biggest man-made disaster in the world in recent decades, which damages the environment and will negatively affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the years to come. Today Russia is a global threat. This can be changed by force only.”
The Russian side claims the dam was destroyed by Ukrainian strikes. State media has estimated that 80 settlements are at risk of flooding. According to the so-called mayor of the occupied Nova Kakhovka, Vladimir Leontiev, the water level has risen by 10 meters.
Aside from mutual accusations, both parties claim that the hydroelectric plant is beyond repair.
The Kakhovka hydroelectric power station was built in the 50s. It is located in the Kherson region, 5 kilometers from the city of Nova Kakhovka.
