Satellite images from Maxar Technologies show extensive flooding in southern Ukraine, with the Nova Kahkovka dam and hydroelectric station largely destroyed. The critical dam, which lies along the Dnipro River in the parts of Ukraine’s Kherson region now held by Russia, collapsed on Tuesday, flooding a swathe of the war zone along the frontline. It was not immediately clear who was responsible. The images show houses and buildings submerged in water, with many having only their roofs showing, and water taking over parks, land and infrastructure. Ukraine said Russia had committed a deliberate war crime in blowing up the Soviet-era dam, which powered a hydroelectric station.
As featured on satellite images taken on Tuesday afternoon by Maxar Technologies, extensive flooding has occurred in southern Ukraine, with the region’s Nova Kahkovka dam and hydroelectric station largely destroyed. The critical dam, which lies along the Dnipro River in the parts of Ukraine’s Kherson region now held by Russia, collapsed on Tuesday, flooding a swathe of the war zone along the frontline. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the destruction of the dam.
Maxar said the images of more than 2,500 square km (965 square miles) between Nova Kakhovka and the Dniprovska Gulf southwest of Kherson city on the Black Sea showed numerous towns and villages flooded. “The Nova Kakhovka dam and hydroelectric plant has been largely destroyed and few structures remain,” Maxar said in a statement. The images show houses and buildings submerged in water, with many having only their roofs showing, and water taking over parks, land, and infrastructure.
Ukraine has accused Russia of committing a deliberate war crime in blowing up the Soviet-era dam, which powered a hydroelectric station. The Kremlin, on the other hand, blamed Ukraine, saying it was trying to distract from the launch of a major counteroffensive Moscow says is faltering. The dam was damaged in November following Russia’s withdrawal from the Kherson city.
The flooding caused by the dam’s destruction has further exacerbated the already dire situation in the war-torn region. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing since 2014, with thousands of lives lost and millions of people displaced. The destruction of critical infrastructure such as the Nova Kakhovka dam only adds to the suffering of the people in the region.
The international community has condemned the destruction of the dam and called for an immediate end to the conflict. The United Nations has called for a ceasefire and urged both sides to engage in dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The European Union has also called for an end to the hostilities and for both sides to respect international law.
The destruction of critical infrastructure such as the Nova Kakhovka dam highlights the devastating impact of war on civilian populations. The people in the region are already struggling to survive in a war-torn environment, and the destruction of critical infrastructure only adds to their suffering. It is essential that both sides come to the negotiating table and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
To wrap everything up, the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam has caused extensive flooding in southern Ukraine, exacerbating the already dire situation in the war-torn region. The international community has called for an immediate end to the conflict and for both sides to respect international law. It is crucial that both sides engage in dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict and prevent further suffering for the people in the region.
