Russian Forces Accused of Blowing Up Ukrainian Dam: War Crime or Deflection?
The Ukrainian military has accused Russian forces of intentionally blowing up the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power station dam, causing severe flooding and creating a potential humanitarian crisis. The dam, located in Russian-controlled territory within Ukraine’s Kherson region, currently holds an estimated 18 cubic kilometers of water, with evacuations ongoing in affected areas. President Zelenskyy stated this act only confirmed the need to remove Russia’s influence from Ukraine entirely.
While the Ukrainian military and their Southern Operational Command are working to assess the extent of the damage, an evacuation order has been issued by the National Police of Ukraine for potentially affected villages. However, the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti has reported that the Ukrainian army shelled the area, causing the upper half of the dam to be destroyed. This situation raises concerns of potential war crimes and the geopolitical tensions surrounding the blame game that has developed.
With water levels predicted to reach a critical stage within a matter of hours, emergency evacuations are underway in the villages along the right bank of the Dnieper River. The head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, has confirmed the commencement of evacuations. The situation is tense as both sides accuse one another of responsibility. Nonetheless, both Ukraine and Russia express concern for their citizens in the affected areas.
As the waters continue to rise and thousands of people face displacement, international concern grows over the potential disastrous consequences
