The Kremlin insists that the rupture of the Kakhovka dam is a result of Ukrainian sabotage. How do Russian representatives present the consequences and the situation in the flood plains occupied by Russia?
A week after the rupture of the Kachowka dam, the peak of the flood has passed, according to Russian information. The water is slowly draining away, reported the governor appointed by Russia for the Cherson region, Vladimir Saldo.
According to him, 35 settlements were flooded, as well as parts of the city of Nowa Kachowka, which is located directly on the broken dam and the associated destroyed hydroelectric power station.
According to Russian information, more than 7,000 people were brought to safety on the side occupied by Russia. Up to 40,000 were affected by the floods.
How is it going to continue when the floods of the Kachowka dam have drained away? The residents of the region know that many new problems will then arise.
Moscow points to Ukraine
At the end of last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov promised quick help to residents in the Russian-occupied part of the flooded areas, but at the same time made serious accusations towards Ukraine.
According to Peskow, the Ministry of Emergency Situations is taking “strong measures” on the instructions of the President and using all additional resources to help the people. The local authorities with whom the President is in contact work “selflessly”.
But one should not forget that all the work is taking place under constant fire from the Ukrainian armed forces. In addition, the destruction of the dam was due to Ukrainian sabotage, Peskov claimed.
Independent reports from local journalists in Ukraine say rescue workers are under Russian fire. However, there is also outgoing artillery fire in the other direction, possibly to hit Russian positions there.
The risk of epidemics increases
Meanwhile, the risk of epidemics in the flooded areas is increasing. The Russian army has been tasked with disinfecting houses after the water has been pumped out, reports Moscow-appointed governor Saldo. Bottled food and drinking water would be distributed to the population.
As a precaution, people in the affected areas are being asked to get vaccinated against hepatitis, among other things.
The consequences for the region are devastating, according to Pyotr Sbarovsky, who is responsible for agriculture in the Russian-occupied part of Cherson:
Without irrigation, the Cherson region is practically a desert. Seed fields, vineyards and other crops have of course been lost. You have to admit that.
Crimea is also feeling the consequences
The Russian side also points out that Crimea’s water supply is now severely affected. The Black Sea Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014, was last supplied with water via the North Crimean Canal, which was fed from the Kakhovka Reservoir.
According to the Russian governor Sergei Aksjonov, Crimea still has relatively well-stocked reservoirs.
The situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which is occupied by Russian troops, is also causing concern. The water from the destroyed reservoir was also used to cool old fuel rods.
Russia and Ukraine emphasize that there is currently no acute danger. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) wants to get an idea of the situation on site, as the information on the current water levels varies considerably.