The enormous Kakhovka dam, which spans frontlines across the Dnipro river in southern Ukraine, has been blown up.
The flooding could submerge areas downstream, putting parts of Kherson (controlled by Ukraine) and the nearby Zaporizhzhiya power plant (held by Russia) at risk.
Flooding the area could also complicate plans for Ukraine's expected counteroffensive in the region. Ukraine accused Russia of mining the dam for these purposes last year. Zelensky has called an emergency security council meeting.
"Destroying the dam would mean a large-scale disaster" like "the use of weapons of mass destruction," Zelensky previously said, adding Russia knew "they will not be able to keep not only Kherson, but also the entire south of our country, including Crimea."
president.gov.ua/en/news/usi-sv…
a lot of detail on the worst-case scenarios for flooding in Kherson region modeled here cornucopia.se/2022/10/worst-…
Video of the destruction to the Kakhovka dam posted on Russian social media.
The second image here shows the likely consequences of blowing up the Kakhovka dam, including putting much of Kherson – a city Putin declared was part of Russia not nine months ago! – under water
Beavers have been spotted in Kherson after the dam was blown up, per Ukrainian social media.
Russia’s occupying authorities in Nova Kakhova, the biggest town in occupied Kherson region, posted these photos of flooding in the town center after the dam was blown up.
Russian social media channels sharing video that appears to show the Kakhovka hydroelectric plant completely under water.
Swans now swimming through downtown Nova Kahkovka, on the Russian-controlled side of the Dnipro, after the dam burst, per Russian state media
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