In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, a major Soviet-era dam at the Kakhovka hydropower plant in Southern Ukraine has been blown up, resulting in a fierce blame game between the two nations. This incident is set to have significant consequences for the local areas surrounding the dam. Amidst the tragedy, two Ukrainian women, Alisa Malysheva and Alisa Malysheva, are drawing public attention to the thousands of people left homeless due to Russia’s alleged involvement in the undermining of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant.
The women took to Instagram, posting a series of pictures with a striking poster that reads, “My Home Is Flooding Because Of Russia.” In their post, they accused Russians of committing a terrorist act by destroying the Kakhovka dam, which had been under Russian control for over a year. They emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that this disaster could be the biggest technological catastrophe Europe has witnessed in decades.
The destruction of the dam has resulted in the flooding of more than 13 settlements and the evacuation of over 1,300 people, as reported by the women. They also highlighted that the consequences in the Russian-occupied territories could be even more severe and far-reaching. The dam played a crucial role in ensuring the operation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and its explosion poses a significant risk of malfunction and potential disaster on a larger scale. The devastating impact on flora, fauna, and civilian infrastructure is also evident.
Ukraine’s presidential administration has labeled the blast as an “ecocide” committed by Russian forces, holding them accountable for the incident. On the other hand, Russia has shifted blame onto Ukraine. As a result of the dam’s destruction, ten villages on the western bank of the Dnipro River, along with a section of Kherson city, now face the imminent risk of flooding, and residents have been urged to prepare for evacuation.
Unverified videos circulating on social media depict the surge of water through the remnants of the Nova Kakhovka dam, capturing the shock and dismay of onlookers. Water levels rose significantly within a matter of hours, posing an alarming threat to the region. It is worth noting that the Kakhovka dam, which was seized at the beginning of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, also plays a crucial role in supplying water to the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014.
As the blame game continues between Russia and Ukraine, the destruction of the Kakhovka dam stands as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on the civilian population and critical infrastructure in the region.
