Ukraine war
Number of victims after dam destruction rises to over 60
The flooded city of Oleschky. photo
© Uncredited/AP
Numerous places were flooded as a result of the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in southern Ukraine. Many people lost their lives. And the number of victims is increasing.
At least 62 people have died in the southern Ukrainian region of Cherson after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam around two weeks ago. Russian occupation authorities spoke on Telegram of 41 dead on the Russian-occupied southern bank of the Dnieper. Ukrainian authorities put the number of dead across the river at at least 21. It is assumed that the actual number of victims is higher.
According to Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, 5 of the 21 people were killed by Russian shelling. 28 other people were injured. Only the day before, according to Ukraine and the United Nations, a helper died after Russian artillery fired on his team in Cherson.
Since the places occupied by Russia are particularly badly affected by the floods, it is feared that significantly more people have died there than is known. The Ukrainian military suspects more than 500 dead in the occupied town of Oleschky. The Russian army only evacuated people with Russian passports, the claim said.
The information provided by the warring parties often cannot be verified independently. However, while international aid organizations such as the UN are working in the Ukrainian-controlled flood area, the areas occupied by Russia are difficult to access for international observers and aid workers.
After the destruction of southern Ukraine’s Kakhovka Dam on June 6, huge masses of water poured out of the adjacent reservoir and flooded numerous places, including the regional capital of Kherson. Ukraine, which has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression since February 24, 2022 – i.e. for almost 16 months – accuses Russia of having blown up the building. Moscow denies that.