Ukraine accuses Russia of destroying a dam on the Dnipro near Kherson. Authorities warn of flooding. Russia, on the other hand, blames Ukraine for damage to the dam.
Russia is said to have blown up an important dam on the Dnipro in the Cherson region of southern Ukraine. This is reported by the Ukrainian authorities. They warn residents further down the river about flooding and called on them to prepare for an evacuation. According to the Interior Ministry, residents of ten villages are affected as well as parts of the city of Cherson.
The online medium “The Kyiv Independent” published pictures of a destroyed dam and violent floods on Twitter.
Ukraine: “Another act of terrorism by Russia”
The head of the Ukrainian regional military administration in Kherson, Oleksandr Prokudin, said in a video published on Telegram that Russia had committed another act of terrorism. He warned that the water level of the Dnipro could reach a critical level in the next few hours. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov reported on Twitter.
Russia denies own responsibility
The Russian occupiers, on the other hand, blamed Ukrainian shelling for the damage to the Kakhovka dam. “The water has risen,” said Moscow-appointed mayor in Nowa Kakhovka, Vladimir Leontiev, according to Russian state news agencies. So far, however, there is no need to bring civilians to safety. The information provided by both sides could not initially be verified independently.
As early as October last year, President Zelenskyj accused Russia of having mined the dam and warned against blowing up the dam: “If they do that, there will be a catastrophe,” Zelenskyj said at the time.
After attacking Ukraine, Russia also occupied the Kherson region. Last fall, the Ukrainian army then managed to liberate part of the region – including the regional capital of the same name, Cherson. However, towns south of the Dnipro remained under Russian control, including the dam town of Nowa Kakhovka.