Novaya Kakhovka Dam Destroyed by Russian Forces in Southern Ukraine

Background

The Russian military operation in southern Ukraine continued on Tuesday, with reports emerging that the Novaya Kakhovka dam had been blown up by Russian forces. The dam is located in Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine’s Kherson region.

Conflicting Reports

The Southern Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that Russian forces were responsible for the destruction of the dam. However, TASS, citing local officials, claimed that the Ukrainian bombing of Kherson was the reason for the dam’s destruction.

Evacuation Process

The governor of the Kherson region announced the start of an evacuation process in the area of the New Kakhovskaya HPP after reports emerged of the collapse of the HPP. Emergency services warned that around 80 residential areas could be affected by the destruction of the Kakhovskaya HPP.

Flooding and Evacuation

According to an informed source of Ukrainian officials, the flood is sweeping through several villages on the Dnieper, and Ukraine is evacuating the population. It is reported that around 16,000 people are in the “critical zone” after the destruction of part of the dam.

Impact

RIA Novosti reported that 22,000 people and 14 residential areas were affected by flooding after the shelling of the New Kakhovka Dam. TASS quoted Novokakhovskaya authorities as saying that the water level had risen by 12 meters after the destruction of part of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station. The pro-Russian mayor of Nova Kakhovka accused Ukraine of attacking the dam and causing the disaster.

Threat of Collapse

A local official also warned that there was a threat of collapse of around 300 houses in the flood zone after the shelling of the New Kakhovka dam.

Conclusion

The destruction of the Novaya Kakhovka dam has had a significant impact on the region, with thousands of people being evacuated and many residential areas affected by flooding. The conflicting reports about the cause of the dam’s destruction only add to the complexity of the situation in southern Ukraine.