Current Events > Collapse of major dam in southern Ukraine triggers emergency evacuations.

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kakhovka-dam-flood-evacuation-eecc9952c2d9f500c38b0a873f69438c

The wall of a major dam in southern Ukraine collapsed Tuesday, triggering floods, endangering Europes largest nuclear power plant and threatening drinking water supplies as both sides in the war scrambled to evacuate residents and blamed each other for the destruction. Ukraine accused Russian forces of blowing up the Kakhovka dam and hydroelectric power station on the Dnieper River in an area that Moscow controls, while Russian officials blamed Ukrainian bombardment in the contested area. It was not possible to verify the claims. The potentially far-reaching environmental and social consequences of the disaster quickly became clear as homes, streets and businesses flooded downstream and emergency crews began evacuations; officials raced to check cooling systems at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant; and authorities expressed concern about supplies of drinking water to the south in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

It was not immediately clear whether either side benefits from the damage to the dam, since both Russian-controlled and Ukrainian-held lands are at risk. The damage could also hinder Ukraines counteroffensive in the south and distract its government, while Russia depends on the dam to supply water to Crimea. Although Kyiv officials claimed Russia blew up the dam to hinder the counteroffensive, observers note that crossing the broad Dnieper would be extremely challenging for the Ukrainian military. Other sectors of the front line are more likely avenues of attack, analysts say. Even so, Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the alleged Russian destruction of the dam betrays a lack of confidence, a lack of confidence, a profoundly defensive measure, the lack of confidence in Russias longer-term prospects in the war. Experts have previously said the dam was in disrepair, which could also have led to the breach. David Helms, a retired American scientist who has monitored the reservoir since the start of the war, said in an email that it wasnt clear if the damage was deliberate or simple neglect from Russian forces occupying the facility.

For now, Russia gets to cover a retreat, or at least deny Ukraine a direction of attack.
Soon, there's going to be nothing but a dry lakebed between Ukraine and the invaders.

"Collapse," yeah

Way to fucking go, AP

UnholyMudcrab posted...

"Collapse," yeah

Things tend to collapse soon after being blown up, yes.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4WHCqw5qOhI

The Ukrainians are saying it wont impede the ongoing counteroffensive.
But obviously it will in the Kherson region. Luckily it looks like most the efforts have been in the East.
This is just another one of Russia's endless list of war crimes.

Before some moron tankie points out how Ukraine blew up a dam at the start of a war, yes, but that's literally their right, with their civil infrastructure, in defense of their country.