The Ukrainian military has leveled allegations against Russian forces for deliberately causing the destruction of a significant dam in the southern region of Kherson, which is currently under Russian control.
According to a local military official, this act has resulted in the flooding of numerous settlements, affecting at least eight different areas.
As a consequence, evacuation efforts have commenced, aiming to safeguard the lives of approximately 16,000 individuals who are now at risk due to the rising floodwaters.
In contrast, a local official appointed by the Russian administration has disputed these claims, asserting that only the upper portion of the power plant was damaged by shelling, denying any destruction of the dam itself.
#Kherson region. The result of blowing up the #Kakhovka #HPP by Russians.
— Партія «Слуга Народу» (@sluganarodu_pp) June 6, 2023
Another war crime of the occupiers, a real #ecocide.
Failure to stop the terrorists means endangering entire planet, because they use the same methods in every corner of the Earth.… pic.twitter.com/zTvuNvx613
Kherson’s regional head Oleksandr Prokudin has accused Russia of committing “yet another act of terror”.
In a video message posted on social media, he warns that water levels in the Dnipro river will be “critical” within five hours.
Prokudin says evacuation of those residents living in the threatened areas on the Ukraine-controlled right (western) bank of the Dnipro river has already started.
And he also appeals to the residents on the opposite bank – currently under Russian control – to immediately leave their homes.