The Kakhovka Dam spanning the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine was breached on Tuesday, with flooding expected to have catastrophic consequences on dozens of settlements and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which depends on the water flow from the reservoir upstream of the dam to cool the reactors. Ukraine blamed Russian forces controlling the region for blowing up the dam, while Russia blamed Ukrainian forces for shelling the dam and causing it to collapse. The destruction of the dam could have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate area, with hundreds of thousands of victims. Despite Kherson’s cession to Ukraine, Vladimir Putin still officially considers the city part of Russia and its inhabitants as Russian citizens after a failed attempt to annex four regions of southeastern Ukraine before the retreat.
Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to accuse each other of bombing the dam, the hydroelectric power station, and the nuclear power station, with this week’s breach expected to complicate Ukraine’s plans for an amphibious assault on the region during an anticipated counter-offensive. The dam and hydroelectric plant, built in 1956, contained approximately 18 cubic kilometers of water and supplied electricity to more than 3 million people as a crucial part of the country’s energy infrastructure.
The destruction of the dam could have catastrophic consequences for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which Mustafa Nayyem, head of the State Agency Ukrainian for catering, warned could lead to hundreds of thousands of victims. While Ukraine’s nuclear operator, Energoatom, said that water levels in the Kakhovka reservoir were falling, the level in the plant’s cooling pond was 16.6m, which is sufficient for the needs of the plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no immediate risk to nuclear safety at the plant, but it was monitoring the situation.
Engaging Additional Piece:
The breach of the Kakhovka Dam on Tuesday serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of war, particularly on crucial infrastructure and civilian life. The destruction of the dam not only poses a catastrophic risk to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and local settlements but also undermines economic and commercial activity in the region.
Ukraine has long struggled with the effects of the ongoing conflict with Russia, with tensions escalating in the wake of the breach. Furthermore, the conflict has caused immense human suffering and left many parts of the country in a state of disrepair. According to a recent United Nations report, the conflict in Ukraine has killed more than 13,000 people and left over 30,000 wounded since 2014. Additionally, it has displaced over 1.5 million people, with many of them still living in cramped quarters without access to basic necessities.
The breach of the Kakhovka Dam highlights the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine and for both sides to prioritize the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure. It also underscores the importance of investing in sustainable and resilient infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of conflict and natural disasters. In particular, countries should prioritize investments in infrastructure that is essential for the provision of basic services like water, energy, and sanitation to ensure the continued well-being of their citizens in times of crisis.
In conclusion, the breach of the Kakhovka Dam is a sobering reminder of the toll of war on infrastructure and human life. It is time for both sides to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict and prioritize the protection of critical infrastructure and civilians. Only then can Ukraine’s citizens begin to heal and rebuild their lives.
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The Kakhovka dam spanning the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine breached on Tuesday, flooding swathes of territory ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive and threatening a crucial water supply for a nuclear power plant.
Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for the damage, which Kiev said would have “catastrophic consequences” and affect dozens of settlements as well as the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which depends on the flow of water from the reservoir upstream of the dam to cool the reactors .
Oleksandr Prokudyn, governor of Ukraine’s Kherson region, said Russian forces controlling the region had blown up the dam and ordered the evacuation of several villages along the Ukrainian-controlled west bank of the Dnipro.
Water levels in the risk zone, which Prokudyn said included part of the regional capital Kherson, could become critical as early as 11 a.m., he added. Kherson’s riverside neighborhoods were already flooded Tuesday morning, according to local media.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called an emergency security council meeting and blamed “Russian terrorists” for the explosion.
“The destruction of the Kakhovka hydropower plant could have catastrophic consequences for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which uses water from the Kakhovka reservoir to cool nuclear reactors,” said Mustafa Nayyem, head of the State Agency Ukrainian for catering.
Energoatom, Ukraine’s nuclear operator, said water levels in the Kakhovka reservoir were falling, but the level in the plant’s cooling pond was 16.6m “which is sufficient for the needs of the plant”.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was “no immediate risk to nuclear safety at the plant”, but it was monitoring the situation.
The flooding is also likely to complicate Ukraine’s plans for an amphibious assault on the region during a anticipated counter-offensive.
The dam and its hydroelectric plant, built in 1956, was one of the largest energy facilities in the country, containing about 18 cubic kilometers of water and supplying electricity to more than 3 million people.
As a crucial part of the country’s energy infrastructure, “its destruction would have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate area”, Nayyem said, adding that it could “lead to hundreds of thousands of victims”.
“Russian military forces may consider that the breakthrough of the dam could cover their retreat from the right bank of the Dnipro and prevent or delay Ukraine’s advance across the river,” Nayyem said.
Videos on social media showed water gushing through a huge hole in the dam from its reservoir, which also feeds a channel that brings water to the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula. Satellite images made by Maxar Technologies showed damage to the dam’s gates and a section of road.
Drone footage shows breach in destroyed Kakhovka dam © Reuters
Drone footage shows breach in destroyed Kakhovka dam © Reuters
Russia captured the entire Kherson region, which is crossed by the Dnipro, in the first weeks of President Vladimir Putin’s invasion last year, before retreat across the river of the regional capital last November.
Despite Kherson’s cession to Ukraine, Putin still officially considers the city part of Russia and its inhabitants as Russian citizens after a failed attempt to annex four regions of southeastern Ukraine before the retreat.
Ukraine and Russia have regularly accused each other of bombing the dam, the hydroelectric power station and the nuclear power station.
Zelenskyy said last year that Russia planted mines in the region while preparing for his retreat, which he warned could cause a “large-scale disaster” and destroy Crimea’s water supply.
Vladimir Leontiev, Russian-appointed mayor of the occupied town of Nova Kakhovka, claimed Ukrainian forces shelled the dam and caused it to collapse, according to the state-run Tass news agency.
Leontiev said Russian authorities would evacuate residents threatened by the floods, which he said affected around 300 homes in nearby villages. Russian-controlled emergency services said around 80 cities could be affected.
EU Council President Charles Michel blamed Moscow for the dam breach. “The destruction of civilian infrastructure is clearly qualified as a war crime – and we will hold Russia and its proxies accountable,” he wrote on Twitter.
https://www.ft.com/content/10ba2659-3204-4fde-b407-6904a408c931
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