Reports indicate that a significant dam located in the town of Nova Kakhovka, which is currently under Russian control, has been destroyed, posing a severe risk of life-threatening floods. The Ukrainian military has accused the Russian forces of carrying out this attack, and numerous videos have shown large bodies of water pouring out from the affected regions. This is a concerning situation as the dam's destruction caused eight settlements to flood.
EU Council President Charles Michel has condemned the recent attack on civilian infrastructure. He stated that such destruction qualifies as a war crime, and those responsible will face penalties for their actions against humanity. A local official appointed by the Russian forces defended their country, claiming that the shelling only damaged the power plant and not the dam. However, over 16,000 people have already been impacted by the devastating situation.
The recent attack on the Ukraine dam has gained the attention of several global leaders, with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly attributing it to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Currently visiting Hrebelky, located outside Kyiv in Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary has engaged in talks with the country's president to determine measures to control the situation.
While meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, the UK Foreign Secretary said the United Kingdom would continue supporting Ukraine until they win the war.
"I’ve heard reports of the explosion on the dam and the risk of flooding. It’s too early to make any kind of meaningful assessment of the details. Only reason this is an issue at all is because of Russia's unprovoked full-scale invasion," the Foreign Secretary said.
Situation Getting Under Control — Energoatom
According to Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear energy generating company, the situation around the power plant where the attack happened is getting under control.
"The undermining of the Kakhovska hydroelectric power plant may have negative consequences for the ZNPP, but the situation is under control. On the night of 6 June 2023, the Russian invaders blew up the dam of the Kakhovska HPP [plant]. As a result of the detonation, the water level in the Kakhovskyy reservoir is rapidly decreasing, which is an additional threat to the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP."
"Water from the Kakhovsky reservoir is necessary for the station to receive water for turbine condensers and safety systems of the ZNPP. The station's cooling pond is now full.
Water from the Kakhovsky reservoir is necessary for the station to receive water for turbine condensers and safety systems of the ZNPP. The station's cooling pond is now full," they said.
Reactions From World Leaders
Several prominent figures from around the world have expressed their dissatisfaction with Russia's tactics in the conflict, particularly in regard to their recent attack on a Ukrainian dam. Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, called the assault "outrageous."
"The destruction of the Kakhovka dam today puts thousands of civilians at risk and causes severe environmental damage.
This is an outrageous act, which demonstrates once again the brutality of #Russia’s war in #Ukraine," he said on his Twitter page.
The destruction of the Kakhovka dam today puts thousands of civilians at risk and causes severe environmental damage.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) June 6, 2023
This is an outrageous act, which demonstrates once again the brutality of #Russia’s war in #Ukraine.
Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, reacted to the issue, saying," Shocked by the unprecedented attack of the Nova Kakhovka dam.
The destruction of civilian infrastructure clearly qualifies as a war crime - and we will hold Russia and its proxies accountable."