AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods after Ukraine dam collapse, far more than Russia said

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The Associated Press has determined that the death toll from the catastrophic flood resulting from a dam collapse in Ukraine is significantly higher than Russian reports indicate. In Oleshky, a town in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine, the disaster left an indelible mark on the community. Locals struggled to identify many of the victims due to their disfigured state, yet they recognized Yurii Bilyi, a well-known 56-year-old TV repairman. His daughter, Anastasiia Bila, recalls their last conversation amidst the rapidly rising floodwaters that eventually claimed his life.

The flood, caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in the Kherson region, has been identified by an AP investigation as one of the war’s most devastating events. The Russian occupation’s control over death certificate issuance and their interference with local efforts to manage the crisis have obscured the true extent of the tragedy. Despite Russian claims of 59 deaths in the 408 square kilometers (160 square miles) of affected areas, evidence suggests that the death toll in Oleshky alone, a town with a pre-war population of 16,000, is in the hundreds.

Accounts from health workers, volunteers, and Ukrainian informants reveal a pattern of mass graves, unclaimed bodies, and Russian efforts to minimize the disaster’s visibility. The AP’s investigation involved interviews with residents, rescue volunteers, and those who have since fled the area. These sources paint a picture of a community overwhelmed by the sudden flood, with reports of bodies lying in streets and hastily arranged burials.

Local health workers, who continued to operate under Russian occupation, faced challenges in documenting the deaths. The Russian authorities eventually forbade the issuance of death certificates for flood victims, further complicating efforts to record the true scale of the disaster.

The situation in Oleshky remains dire, with many homes destroyed and a significant portion of the population missing or displaced. The town, once a vibrant community, now faces deep divisions and enduring traumas as the conflict continues to unfold. The full extent of the tragedy may only be uncovered if Ukrainian forces retake the territory and conduct a thorough investigation.

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More about Oleshky dam collapse aftermath

• Understanding the Kakhovka Dam Collapse
• The Human Impact of Ukraine’s Flood Disaster
• Oleshky’s Struggle Under Russian Occupation
• Documenting the Aftermath of the Oleshky Flood
• The Role of Local Health Workers in Crisis Management
• Russia’s Information Control in Occupied Ukraine
• The Ongoing Trauma in Flood-Affected Ukrainian Towns
• Investigating War-Related Environmental Disasters
• The Challenges of Accurate Death Toll Reporting in Conflict Zones
• The Resilience of Communities in Face of Natural Disasters and War