The Nova Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine has been blown up. Accident endangers Zaporozhye nuclear power plant
The Soviet-built Kahovka dam in the Russian-controlled area of southern Ukraine has been destroyed by the sea, with water threatening to flood entire villages and endanger the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, Ukrainian authorities say. As a result of the explosion, the water level in the Kahovka reservoir is falling rapidly. Ukraine and Russia blame each other for the dam's destruction.
President Volodimir Zelensky convenes the National Security and Defence Council. The representative of the presidential administration in Kiev, Andrei Ermak, says this is an ecocide and the Russians will be held responsible for the possible deprivation of drinking water for people in southern Herson.
The Ukrainian military claims that Russian forces blew up the Nova Kahovka dam on the Dnieper River above Herson, risking flooding the town. Russian media reports that a local mayor imposed by Russia denies this, notes the BBC.
The dam, 30 metres high and more than 3 kilometres long, was built in 1956 on the Dnieper River as part of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. According to UNIAN, last night Russian attackers blew up the Kakhovka hydropower dam, posing an additional threat to the temporarily Russian-occupied nuclear power plant in Zaporozhye.
