Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #KakhovkaDam
Most recents (19)
Welcome to another week of daily threads on Europe's war. Updated throughout the day (and night) every single day.
It's Day 481 of #Russia's illegal full invasion of #Ukraine.
To review Sunday's thread, click here.
It's Day 481 of #Russia's illegal full invasion of #Ukraine.
To review Sunday's thread, click here.
I tempted fate by saying I was hoping for sleep. Soon enough alarms were sounding in the south of #Ukraine.
Suspected cruise missiles launched from #Russia's Black Sea Fleet, and #Odesa has reported explosions. Hopefully it's just air defence.
#RussiaIsATerroristState
Suspected cruise missiles launched from #Russia's Black Sea Fleet, and #Odesa has reported explosions. Hopefully it's just air defence.
#RussiaIsATerroristState
4 days before the #KakhovkaDam catastrophe, the s-bridge support frames started breaking up probably at the edge of dam's concrete foundation. It might indicate erosion. That's missing in the @nytimes article.
Ruined support frames:
(@Maxar May 28 & Jun 5, via @ChristopherJM)
Ruined support frames:
(@Maxar May 28 & Jun 5, via @ChristopherJM)
By these @planet images shared by @gbrumfiel it seems like the #3 support frame collapsed between 1-2 Jun, and #2 collapsed between 2-3 Jun
Roughly, there's 23 meters of dam downstream the sluice gates, after which sits a concrete stilling basin apron. And judging by this scheme — the weir and apron might be separate constructions.
And it seems like #2 and #3 support frames broke off around that weir-apron border.
And it seems like #2 and #3 support frames broke off around that weir-apron border.
Day 480 of the war. #Russia defending stubbornly with reinforced lines in the areas of #Ukraine they stole.
But I think the real push, with most forces, is yet to come. Here's another daily thread. There's been one every day, but I do need support pls!
ko-fi.com/twmcltd
But I think the real push, with most forces, is yet to come. Here's another daily thread. There's been one every day, but I do need support pls!
ko-fi.com/twmcltd
Yesterday's thread can be found on the link below, click and scroll if you missed anything.
Loads of nice photos and videos in Saturday's thread and how there seems to have been a #Russia-#Africa plot to deny missile strikes, but Russia's MoD messed up!
Loads of nice photos and videos in Saturday's thread and how there seems to have been a #Russia-#Africa plot to deny missile strikes, but Russia's MoD messed up!
Who doesn't like a bit of alliteration? And here are some sweet Sunday sounds to start your day.
Less than 20km north of #Henichesk in #Kherson region there was a big explosion, then many, many more in the village of #Rykove as #Russia's weapon/ammo store there went up in smoke!
Less than 20km north of #Henichesk in #Kherson region there was a big explosion, then many, many more in the village of #Rykove as #Russia's weapon/ammo store there went up in smoke!
RU sources claimed UKR sabotage and reconnaissance groups landed on the east (left) bank of #Kherson Oblast and established positions there.
ISW has seen no visual evidence of UKR forces operating on the left bank of Kherson Oblast since the destruction of the #KakhovkaDam.
ISW has seen no visual evidence of UKR forces operating on the left bank of Kherson Oblast since the destruction of the #KakhovkaDam.
2/ Russian forces are reportedly reestablishing defensive positions on the left bank of #Kherson Oblast as flood waters continue to recede. isw.pub/UkrWar061623
3/ #Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command reported that water levels in the Dnipro, Inhulets, and Southern Bug rivers continue to decrease.
At least 38 days before the massive collapse of #KakhovkaDam, a wall adjacent to turbulent flow, broke apart:
A video by @InvestigatorUa from April 28th shows that a big chunk of a wall separating outflow of HPP and the Dam is half submerged in the water.
A video by @InvestigatorUa from April 28th shows that a big chunk of a wall separating outflow of HPP and the Dam is half submerged in the water.
Another drone video from May 16th shows the same picture: section of that separator wall broke off.
Just to have a separate source of confirmation: satellite images days before the collapse also clearly show that section of the wall broke apart.
(@Maxar 28th of May)
(@Maxar 28th of May)
THE KAKHOVKA DAM🇺🇦
As more information becomes available on the #KakhovkaDam collapse, it will be important to understand how the structure worked.🏗️
In this thread I'll explore the barrage and power plant through section drawings, before moving on to a discussion of damage. 🧵
As more information becomes available on the #KakhovkaDam collapse, it will be important to understand how the structure worked.🏗️
In this thread I'll explore the barrage and power plant through section drawings, before moving on to a discussion of damage. 🧵
The "dam" is really several structures working together to create the Kakhovka Reservoir: a long earth-filled embankment dam, a central concrete barrage to control water flow, and a hydroelectric plant for power generation.
The BARRAGE is a concrete gravity dam with crane-operated sluice gates to control the water level in the reservoir and the Dnieper River below for shipping and irrigation, and to maintain a head of water for power generation. Road and railway bridges are supported by the piers.
Russia continues to launder money, use crypto for illicit activities globally & intensifies cooperation with FATF-blacklisted states & circumvents sanctions.
@FATFNews #Russia violates your principles & must be blacklisted at the Paris plenary next week!
#RussiaIsATerroristState
@FATFNews #Russia violates your principles & must be blacklisted at the Paris plenary next week!
#RussiaIsATerroristState
#Russia committed an act of terror against 🇺🇦civilians by blowing up the #KakhovkaDam, causing death, destruction & the worst ecological disaster in Europe in decades. Russia finances terrorism at state level. @FATFNews, #BlacklistRussia.
#RussiaIsATerroristState
#RussiaIsATerroristState
🚨Russian Terrorism in Ukraine and around the world – Sudan, Syria, Libya, Mali & Myanmar - cannot exist without financial support. @FATFNews, Russia must be backlisted at the FATF Plenary in Paris next week.
#RussiaIsATerroristState #StandWithUkraine #BlacklistRussia
#RussiaIsATerroristState #StandWithUkraine #BlacklistRussia
Following on the attack on #Belgorod, the response of Russian state TV to the #KakhovkaDam was markedly different, with some important implications.
tl;dr it was well prepared (probably in advance), and #Russia's framing suggests it isn't very committed to occupied regions.
1/14
tl;dr it was well prepared (probably in advance), and #Russia's framing suggests it isn't very committed to occupied regions.
1/14
First, the attack was attributed to Ukraine from the start. The first couple of days it was chalked up to heavy artillery, supported by the claim that Ukraine regularly shelled the dam. Reports also suggested that US-supplied HIMARS were used to shell the dam.
2/14
2/14
By June 8, Russian TV stopped mentioning artillery and HIMARS and instead referred to the dam as being blown up or destroyed by Ukrainian forces/fighters/nationalists/radicals (used interchangeably). There was no acknowledgement of changing explanations for what happened.
3/14
3/14
Misunderstanding of the sad events in Ukraine continues:
Most observers still seem oblivious to the fact that not only Ukraine but humankind's legal order and security system are being destroyed.../1
@SCEEUS_UI @Konflikt_Sicher @GSPSipo @TerekMedia @LawUkrainian @ictopyk
Most observers still seem oblivious to the fact that not only Ukraine but humankind's legal order and security system are being destroyed.../1
@SCEEUS_UI @Konflikt_Sicher @GSPSipo @TerekMedia @LawUkrainian @ictopyk
Every new Russian action of mass terror against Ukrainian civilians and subsequent international inaction or half measure confirm: Even the most bloodthirsty might will remain right if one is sufficiently ruthless.../2
@rightsinrussia @SakharovCentre @DUF_Forum @IDMVienna
@rightsinrussia @SakharovCentre @DUF_Forum @IDMVienna
Russia is an official nuclear-weapon state under the #NPT & allowed to have atomic arms. Since 2014, it has been punishing the non-nuclear-weapon state Ukraine for its weakness & for being forbidden, by the NPT, to possess atomic arms.../3
@USNPT @EU_NonProlif @TheNonproReview
@USNPT @EU_NonProlif @TheNonproReview
To this Kakhovka dam collapse picture, let us add a few thoughts.
We can clearly see that one thing that the destruction of the dam does is reverse the situation in the front upstream and downstream from the dam.
Let use the @DefensePolitics map to illustrate. On the eve of
We can clearly see that one thing that the destruction of the dam does is reverse the situation in the front upstream and downstream from the dam.
Let use the @DefensePolitics map to illustrate. On the eve of
collapse, the river was narrow downstream of the dam, and Russian forces contended with crossing attempts by UA forces on a daily basis. They had occupied the middle islands, and with a powerful base of Kherson city itself right up to the bank, made a powerful force projection
across the bank. RU had to maintain relatively strong forces in this area. Above the dam, the river was much wider (Lake Kakhovka) and Russia thus maintained lesser positions. A look at a very rough deployment map (militaryland) shows us what I mean.
The destruction of the dam
The destruction of the dam
This is a thread to show how the world’s biggest human rights, humanitarian, environmental and animal protection organisations failed Ukraine midst the #KakhovkaDam collapse near #Kherson : the biggest man made catastrophe in decades.
All 📸: libkos/ Maloletka
All 📸: libkos/ Maloletka
Starting with giants like @ICRC @UNOCHA that failed to provide any substantial assistance in #Kherson yet already bragging on Twitter about magical 2000-7000 people they’ve helped, while Ukrainians on the ground report nothing of the sort.
@ICRC is cooperating with russia and accepting worldwide donations, yet failed to help people on occupied by russia territories like Oleshky: locals now report dozens of bodies flowing on the streets.
1.
Les mensonges de #zelenskyWarCriminal épisode n°500:
Après avoir fait procéder à la destruction du barrage de #KakhovkaDam , le criminel de guerre accuse bien évidemment les Russes, et vient pleurer pour obtenir des fonds des USA et de l'UE.
Les mensonges de #zelenskyWarCriminal épisode n°500:
Après avoir fait procéder à la destruction du barrage de #KakhovkaDam , le criminel de guerre accuse bien évidemment les Russes, et vient pleurer pour obtenir des fonds des USA et de l'UE.
2.
Destruction d'un barrage ukrainien: Volodymyr Zelensky "choqué" par l'absence d'aide internationale bfmtv.com/international/… via @BFMTV
Destruction d'un barrage ukrainien: Volodymyr Zelensky "choqué" par l'absence d'aide internationale bfmtv.com/international/… via @BFMTV
3.
Ainsi que le dit @KimDotcom , un service satellitaire français a montré que le niveau de l'eau des lacs en amont, et du réservoir de #KakhovkaDam a été artificiellement gonflé, au niveau le plus haut depuis 8 ans, et ce juste avant la destruction du barrage.
Ainsi que le dit @KimDotcom , un service satellitaire français a montré que le niveau de l'eau des lacs en amont, et du réservoir de #KakhovkaDam a été artificiellement gonflé, au niveau le plus haut depuis 8 ans, et ce juste avant la destruction du barrage.
Ukrainian officials continued to accuse Russian forces of destroying the #KakhovkaDam out of fear that Ukrainian forces would land on the east (left) bank #Kherson Oblast. isw.pub/UkrWar060723
2/ Russian milbloggers had expressed concern about claimed Ukrainian river crossings onto the east bank the day before the destruction of the #KakhovkaHPP dam and on numerous occasions in the past.
3/ ISW offers no assessment of whether the Ukrainians were attempting to cross the river or for what purpose they might have sought to do so. isw.pub/UkrWar060723
1/The destruction of the #KakhovkaDam has rightly been deplored on humanitarian grounds. But what is its military significance, especially for understanding the Russian military and therefore the Ukrainian #counteroffensive?
🧵
🧵
2/#KakhovkaDam is an appalling act of terrorism. However, from a military perspective, it shows that the much derided Russian commanders are astute (and totally ruthless).
3/ The flooding the Dniepro river basin blocks off one possible axes of attack for the UAF for at least the next couple of crucial weeks. Viewed coldly, it is an effective military action.
ISW is not ready to assess who or what is responsible for destroying the #KakhovkaDam in #Kherson but notes that we forecast in October 2022 that the Russians would do so.
That forecast was inaccurate at the time, but the reasoning supporting the forecast was & remains valid. 🧵
That forecast was inaccurate at the time, but the reasoning supporting the forecast was & remains valid. 🧵
2/ ISW assessed on October 19, 2022, that Russian forces would blow the #KakhovkaDam to cover their withdrawal from #Kherson Oblast and to prevent Ukrainian forces from pursuing Russian forces deeper into left (east) bank Kherson, likely blaming #Ukraine. isw.pub/RusCampaignOct…
3/ #Russia's "continued preparation for a false-flag attack on the #KakhovkaDam is also likely meant to distract from reports of Russian losses in Kherson Oblast," we assessed on October 20. isw.pub/RusCampaignOct…
Zur Situation am gesprengten #KakhovkaDam und der Lage des AKW #Zaporizhzhya, das am Kachovka-Stausee liegt:
Das Kraftwerk hat ein eigenes, vom Stausee getrenntes, aber aus ihm gespeistes Reservoir. Dh akuter Wassermangel besteht nicht.
1/8
Das Kraftwerk hat ein eigenes, vom Stausee getrenntes, aber aus ihm gespeistes Reservoir. Dh akuter Wassermangel besteht nicht.
1/8
Hier ist die Erklärung der ukrainischen Betreiberin Enerhoatom dazu: t.me/energoatom_ua/…
2/8
2/8
5 Blöcke sind seit letztem Jahr (3 seit März, 2 seit August/September) im Zustand „cold shutdown“ (unterkritisch, kalt, drucklos), einer wurde heiß-unterkritisch gehalten, dh mit der Abwärme der Hauptkühlmittelpumpen auf Betriebsdruck und -Temperatur gehalten,
3/8
3/8
🧵Thread: Water and War Crimes
There is no confirmation yet of who is responsible for the destruction of Kakhova Dam on the Dnieper River.
But such an attack is a clear international war crime. The 1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions...
#KakhovkaDam
There is no confirmation yet of who is responsible for the destruction of Kakhova Dam on the Dnieper River.
But such an attack is a clear international war crime. The 1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions...
#KakhovkaDam
(Article 56 of Protocol I & Article 15 of Protocol II) EXPLICITLY prohibit attacks on infrastructure "containing dangerous forces" including explicitly "dams" and "dykes" if such attacks "may cause the release of dangerous forces and...
@secretsqrl123
@ItsTheEnforcer
@lookner
This video shows three distinct blasts from emplaced explosives at the #Kakhovkadam
1/5
@ItsTheEnforcer
@lookner
This video shows three distinct blasts from emplaced explosives at the #Kakhovkadam
1/5
The explosive detonation for this was bigger than the WW2 Dambusters breaches.
Clearly this is a lot of pre-placed demolition charges being activated.
No missile in Ukrainian service can deliver that much explosive payload, nor in three distinct blasts.
2/5
Clearly this is a lot of pre-placed demolition charges being activated.
No missile in Ukrainian service can deliver that much explosive payload, nor in three distinct blasts.
2/5
Issues going forward:
1. ZNPP nuclear cooling once the water abates
2. Crimean canal is fed from this reservoir. The dam destruction means Putin does not plan to keep water flowing to Crimea i.e. he no longer thinks RuAF can hold Crimea.
3/5
1. ZNPP nuclear cooling once the water abates
2. Crimean canal is fed from this reservoir. The dam destruction means Putin does not plan to keep water flowing to Crimea i.e. he no longer thinks RuAF can hold Crimea.
3/5
