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Kherson, Ukraine – Amidst a backdrop of Russian occupation, startling drone footage has emerged, revealing the devastation caused by a collapsed Ukrainian dam and the resultant flooding of surrounding villages. This footage from the Associated Press (AP) shows the fractured dam structure falling into the overflowing river and hundreds of submerged homes, greenhouses, and a church — all eerily deserted.
The drone survey, conducted a day after the Kakhovka dam on the Dnieper River was decimated, offers a unique perspective on the extent of the damage. Surprisingly, the surviving structures visible above the deluge did not display the expected signs of aerial bombing, such as scorch marks or shrapnel scars.
Accusations around the dam’s destruction have been flying, with Russia blaming Ukraine for attacking the structure under Moscow’s control, while Ukraine alleges that Russia is responsible for the internal explosion.
This incident has drastically transformed the landscape downstream and shifted the dynamics of the war that has now raged on for 15 months. From the drone’s bird-eye view, the dam, along with two nearby villages, Dnipryany and Korsunka, lay drowned beneath the roaring water. Haunting images reveal rooftops and the rounded shapes of dozens of greenhouses barely peeping over the waterline. Aside from the echoing cries of stranded dogs, no signs of life are evident.
Nova Kakhovka, a neighboring town, although less affected by the flooding, paints a similar picture of desolation. Its main street is being lapped up by water, and its Ferris wheel stands idle. Despite Russian forces allegedly mining the hydroelectric dam since last October, Ukraine blames them for triggering an explosion, turning downstream areas into a waterlogged wasteland. Meanwhile, Russia insists that Ukraine struck the dam with a missile.
Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command reported early on June 6 that Russian forces blew up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.
“The scale of the destruction, the speed and volumes of water, and the likely areas of inundation are being clarified,” the military said on their… pic.twitter.com/xIAEivrOTq
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) June 6, 2023
While evidence of a missile attack remains scarce, it’s speculated that the dam’s disrepair could also have contributed to its collapse. The Dnieper River, which forms part of the war front line, has seen many of its residents flee due to escalating conflicts. Ukraine holds the western bank, while Russia controls the eastern side, which is more susceptible to flooding.
Anna Lodygina, a resident of Nova Kakhovka who fled last year, shares that the flooding has brought life in the occupied town to a standstill. According to her, the Russian soldiers occupying her family home fled post the dam’s collapse, leaving residents to fend for themselves. As per her accounts, the city’s historic part is submerged, its current state unknown.
Meanwhile, rescue attempts seem to be limited. A Red Cross worker shares distressing accounts of receiving helpless calls for evacuation, with the lack of organized evacuation efforts exacerbating the crisis.
Source: Military Times | Image Source: Imagery © 2023 Planet Labs Inc.
