EuropeGeneral NewsPoliticsRussiaRussia-Ukraine warUkraineWorld News Major dam collapses in southern Ukraine, flooding villages as Moscow and Kyiv trade blame by Sophia Chen June 6, 2023 written by Sophia Chen June 6, 2023 0 comments Bookmark 51 A significant dam located in southern Ukraine collapsed on Tuesday, resulting in the flooding of nearby villages. The incident has endangered crops, posed a threat to drinking water supplies, and triggered an exchange of accusations between Moscow and Kyiv, as both sides scramble to evacuate residents and hold each other responsible for the destruction. Ukraine has accused Russian forces of deliberately blowing up the Kakhovka dam and hydroelectric power station, which is situated on the Dnieper River in an area controlled by Moscow for over a year. On the other hand, Russian officials have placed blame on Ukrainian bombardment in the contested region where the river acts as a dividing line. The conflicting claims made it impossible to ascertain the truth behind the incident. In the wake of the dam collapse, both Russian and Ukrainian authorities have used terms like “ecological disaster” and “terrorist act” to describe the torrent of water gushing through the breached dam, which has also started to deplete an upstream reservoir known to be one of the largest in the world. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has referred to it as “the largest man-made environmental disaster in Europe in decades.” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described it as “another devastating consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.” As homes, streets, and businesses succumbed to the floodwaters, concerns arose regarding the availability of drinking water. Emergency crews worked diligently to evacuate thousands of people from both Ukrainian and Russian-controlled areas. In the downstream city of Kherson, distressed residents fought to protect their pets and belongings. One woman, who identified herself only as Tetyana, waded through waist-deep water to reach her flooded house and rescue her dogs. While her dogs found refuge on any dry surface they could find, she expressed worry for a pregnant dog that was still missing. “It’s a nightmare,” she repeated, declining to provide her full name. Trains and buses were deployed by both Russian and Ukrainian authorities to move residents to safety. According to Ukraine’s deputy chief prosecutor Viktoriia Lytvynova, approximately 25,000 people in Russian-controlled areas and 17,000 in Ukrainian-held territory were expected to be evacuated. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries were reported by either side. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by The Big Big News revealed that more than 600 meters (over 1,900 feet) of the 1950s-era dam wall were missing. The dam collapse, which had long been feared by both sides, added a shocking new dimension to the ongoing war in Russia, now in its 16th month. Ukrainian forces were widely believed to be initiating a long-anticipated counteroffensive along various patches of the over 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) front line in the east and south. The motive behind the destruction of the dam by either side remains unclear, and it is possible that its collapse resulted from gradual degradation. Both Russian-controlled and Ukrainian-held territories were at risk due to the breach. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu accused Ukraine of destroying the dam to impede Russian attacks in the Kherson region following a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive. Shoigu claimed that Ukraine had lost 3,715 troops and 52 tanks since Sunday, and in a rare acknowledgment of Russia’s own losses, he stated that 71 Russian troops had been killed and 210 wounded. As per Ukraine’s standard practice, no official comments were made regarding its casualties. Zelenskyy informed reporters that his government had been aware since the previous year that Russia had mined the dam, implying that an explosion might occur at any moment. Other Ukrainian officials alleged that Russia blew up the dam to hinder Kyiv’s counteroffensive, although observers note that crossing the broad Dnieper River would be extremely challenging. Analysts suggest that other sectors of the front line are more likely targets for attack. Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, described the alleged Russian destruction of the dam as “a profoundly defensive measure” indicating “the lack of confidence in Russia’s longer-term prospects” in the war. Experts had previously indicated that the dam was in a state of disrepair, which could have contributed to the breach. David Helms, a retired American scientist who monitored the reservoir, stated in an email that it was unclear whether the damage was deliberate or a result of neglect by occupying Russian forces. However, Helms also pointed out Russia’s history of attacking dams. The collapse of the dam had global repercussions, as evidenced by a 3% increase in wheat prices. It remains uncertain whether this surge was due to an actual threat of floodwaters destroying crops. Ukraine and Russia are significant global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil, and other food products to Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Concerns had been mounting among authorities, experts, and residents for months regarding the water levels in and around the Kakhovka dam. Heavy rains and snowmelt in the previous month had caused water levels to rise beyond normal, resulting in the flooding of nearby villages. Satellite images showed water flowing over damaged sluice gates. Zelenskyy claimed that Russian forces had triggered a blast inside the dam structure at 2:50 a.m. and mentioned that approximately 80 settlements were now in danger. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled it “a deliberate act of sabotage by the Ukrainian side” aimed at cutting off water supply to Crimea. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby declined to provide an assessment of the impact on Ukraine’s counteroffensive and stated that the U.S. “cannot say conclusively what happened.” Both sides warned of an impending environmental disaster caused by polluted waters, partly due to oil leakage from the dam’s machinery, and the deprivation of irrigation to farmland. Ukraine’s Interior Ministry urged residents of ten villages on the western bank of the Dnieper and parts of Kherson city to gather essential documents, secure their pets, turn off appliances, and evacuate. The mayor of Nova Kakhovka, a city with a prewar population of around 45,000, installed by Russia, declared the city’s evacuation. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, heavily relies on water from the reservoir now being depleted by the dam’s collapse. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that there was “no immediate risk to the safety of the plant.” Although its six reactors have been shut down for months, they still require water for cooling. The IAEA stated that the rate of the reservoir’s depletion increased from 5 centimeters (2 inches) to 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) per hour and could be completely depleted in a couple of days. The plant has alternate water sources that can last for months, according to the IAEA. Ukrainian authorities had previously warned that the dam’s failure could release a volume of water nearly equivalent to that of the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Zelenskyy, warned that “thousands of animals and ecosystems will be destroyed.” The incident received international condemnation, including statements from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who described the event as an “outrageous act” that once again demonstrated the brutality of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Ukraine controls five out of the six dams along the Dnieper River, which runs from its northern border with Belarus to the Black Sea and plays a crucial role in the drinking water and power supply of both Ukraine and Russian-occupied Crimea. This report was contributed by Blann from Kyiv, with additional input from Big Big News writer Danica Kirka in London. Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://bigbignews.net/russia-ukraine Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about dam collapse Ukraine blameWhat caused the dam collapse in Ukraine?How has the dam collapse affected the region?What are the consequences of the dam collapse?Has there been any loss of life or injuries?How are authorities responding to the dam collapse?What is the role of the Dnieper River in this situation?More about dam collapse Ukraine blame Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about dam collapse Ukraine blame What caused the dam collapse in Ukraine? The exact cause of the dam collapse in Ukraine is still uncertain. Ukrainian authorities have accused Russian forces of deliberately blowing up the dam, while Russian officials blame Ukrainian bombardment in the contested area. It is also possible that the collapse resulted from gradual degradation of the dam. How has the dam collapse affected the region? The dam collapse has led to the flooding of nearby villages, endangering crops and posing a threat to drinking water supplies. It has triggered an environmental disaster, with polluted waters and oil leakage from the dam’s machinery. The incident has also escalated tensions between Moscow and Kyiv, as they trade blame for the destruction. What are the consequences of the dam collapse? The consequences of the dam collapse include the displacement of residents, the loss of homes, and potential damage to infrastructure. It has disrupted the livelihoods of people in the affected areas and posed a significant humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the collapse has impacted global wheat prices and raised concerns about the availability of food supplies. Has there been any loss of life or injuries? Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths or injuries resulting from the dam collapse. However, the flooding and destruction caused by the incident have led to significant material damage and have disrupted the lives of thousands of people. How are authorities responding to the dam collapse? Authorities from both Russian and Ukrainian sides have mobilized emergency response efforts to evacuate residents and ensure their safety. Trains and buses have been deployed for the evacuation process. Additionally, experts are assessing the environmental impact and working to mitigate further damage caused by the collapsed dam. What is the role of the Dnieper River in this situation? The Dnieper River plays a crucial role in the water supply and power generation for both Ukraine and Russian-occupied Crimea. The collapse of the dam affects the water availability for various purposes, including irrigation and cooling of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which relies on water from the dam’s reservoir. The situation highlights the importance of the river for the region’s infrastructure and resources. More about dam collapse Ukraine blame AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: link Wheat prices jump following collapse of major dam in southern Ukraine: link Ukrainian dam breach: What is happening and what’s at stake: link You Might Be Interested In Unrelenting Heat Wave Grips Southwest, Prompting Concerns from Forecasters Justices teach when the Supreme Court isn’t in session. It can double as an all-expenses-paid trip Jimmy Buffett, the Singer Who Elevated the Beach-Bum Lifestyle to a Business Empire, Passes Away at 76 Mick Jagger and Girlfriend Put Florida House on the Market Biden is surveying hurricane’s toll from the sky and ground in Florida. DeSantis won’t see him US confirms China has had a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019 blame gamedam collapseenvironmental disasterEuropefloodingGeneral Newshumanitarian crisisKyivMoscowPoliticsRussiaRussia-Ukraine warUkraineWorld News Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Sophia Chen Follow Author Sophia Chen is a lifestyle journalist who covers the latest trends and developments in the world of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. She enjoys exploring new fashion and beauty trends, and she is always on the lookout for new products and experiences to share with her readers. previous post Judge rules to release names of Rep. Santos bond cosigners, will stay secret as appeal considered next post Canada wildfires are leading to air-quality alerts in US. Here’s how to stay safe You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... 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