A powerful deluge unleashed by the destruction of the gargantuan Nova Kakhovka dam on Ukraine's Dnipro River has instigated the flight of numerous villagers from the region. This catastrophic event occurred on Tuesday in the disputed region between Russian and Ukrainian forces in southern Ukraine.
Both nations traded accusations, with Ukraine pointing the finger at Russia for what it called a premeditated act of war, while Moscow deflected blame onto Ukraine, arguing it was a distraction from a faltering counteroffensive. Some Russian-appointed officials dismissed both claims, suggesting the dam collapsed under its own weight. The reality remains unconfirmed as neither party has provided substantial evidence. The Geneva Conventions strictly prohibit the targeting of dams due to the significant risks posed to civilians.
By midday, the city of Kherson, located in a Ukrainian-administered region downstream of the dam, had witnessed the submersion of a pier along a Dnipro tributary. Lidia Zubova, a 67-year-old resident fleeing her flooded village of Antonivka, reported to Reuters: "Our local school and stadium downtown were flooded... The road was completely flooded, our bus got stuck."
Footage shared by the Ukrainian police demonstrated rescues in progress, including an officer escorting an elderly woman to safety and others evacuating dogs from the inundated villages. Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine's Interior Minister, alleged that Russian forces were shelling evacuation zones, resulting in two police officers sustaining injuries.
On the Russian-controlled side of the Dnipro, residents reported rising water levels up to 36 feet. Despite evacuation orders from the Russian occupants, some residents chose to stay behind.
A local resident named Hlib shared his encounter with Russian troops: "They say they are ready to shoot without warning... We're still allowed to go to the store, but we don't know what orders will be given next."
In a Telegram post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of internally detonating the dam structures, leading to potential flooding in roughly 80 settlements. He referred to the act as a "confirmation" of Russia's terrorist activities.
The blame game continued, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov attributing the disaster to "deliberate sabotage by the Ukrainian side."
While the Zaporizhzhia power plant appears secure for now, video footage displayed the forceful surge of water pouring through the remnants of the 30-meter tall, 3.2 km long dam.
Roughly 22,000 residents across 14 settlements in the Kherson region are reportedly at risk of flooding, according to the Moscow-installed regional leader. Meanwhile, Crimea's Russian-installed governor, Sergei Aksyonov, noted potential challenges in maintaining the Black Sea peninsula's freshwater supply.
As both sides continue their accusatory sparring, Ukrainian forces allegedly repulsed a third day of Russian advances amidst fresh overnight airstrikes on Kyiv. The ongoing conflict shows no sign of easing, escalating tensions and humanitarian concerns in the region.
