Ukraine accuses Russia of blowing up Kakhovka Dam, destruction in many areas
Kyiv/New Delhi : The Kakhovka Dam built on the Dnieper River has been destroyed due to the explosion. The hydroelectric power station was completely destroyed due to the explosion inside the engine room. According to Ukraine’s hydropower company, it is not in a condition to be repaired.
The Kakhovka Dam in southern Ukraine has been blown up. Officials from both Ukraine and Russia have confirmed the damage to the dam. Ukraine’s state-owned Hydroelectric Company said the explosion occurred in the engine room of the dam, completely destroying the power plant. Built during the Soviet Union, this dam also supplied water to the Crimean peninsula. Also, water was supplied to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant from here. This plant is currently under the control of Russia. Due to this incident, there is a danger of flooding in the lower areas of the Dnipar river. Ukrainian officials have already warned that in the event of damage to the Kakhovka dam, some 480 million gallons of water could be released and flood dozens of areas, including Kherson.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, in its message sent on Telegram, asked residents of 10 villages on the right bank of the Dnieper River to turn off electrical appliances in their homes and move to a safer place, along with important documents and pets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted, “The destruction of the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station confirms to the whole world that they must be driven out of every corner of Ukrainian land. Not a meter should be spared for them because They use every meter for terror.” President Zelensky has also called an emergency meeting to deal with this crisis. President Zelensky’s communication advisor has said that due to the explosion, about 150 tons of engine oil has been found in the Dniper River, which can cause damage to the environment.
Ukraine also raised this matter in the International Court of Justice. Describing Russia as a “terrorist state”, the representative of Ukraine said that due to this incident a large number of people have to be evacuated and the environment has also suffered a lot. German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz said the attack on the dam was in line with Russian President Putin’s strategy of escalating violence and targeting civilian infrastructure. He said that in view of such incidents, it becomes more important that Germany should help Ukraine as long as it is necessary.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the incident in a tweet, writing, “The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam has put thousands of civilians at risk and caused serious environmental damage. This is a brutal act that, once again, threatens Ukraine.” Shows the brutality of the Russian war.” On the other hand, Russian officials allege that the dam was damaged by attacks by the Ukrainian army. The Russian-appointed mayor of Nova Kakhovka, Vladimir Leontyev, said several attacks on the power station damaged its valves and caused the water in the reservoir to flow uncontrollably downstream. Leontiev described the attack on the dam as a very serious terrorist act.
Russian officials have told that many islands have been flooded. Officials of both countries say that there is a risk of submerging about 80 settlements in the low-lying area. The Kherson administration expressed apprehension that the water would reach a critical level in five hours. The population is being evacuated from the danger areas. Pic Credit: Internet
