Russia shelling evacuating civilians as thousands flee floods in southern Ukraine

More than 17,000 people are being evacuated by Ukrainian authorities after Russian forces blew up the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, the country's prosecutor general has said, according to Sky News.

However, Russian armed forces continue to shell affected settlements and civilians attempting to evacuate, said Andriy Kostin.

He added that more than 40,000 people are in danger of being flooded but 25,000 of them reside in Russian-occupied territory. Kostin claimed Russian officials "are not carrying out evacuation".

"This is yet another blatant disregard for human life and international law," he said, accusing Russia of a "heinous international crime".

The Ukrainian government called on people to evacuate in the face of catastrophic flooding. 

Kyiv says Russian troops blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and its dam as both constructions are located in the Russian-occupied territories. Shelling or any other external influence was not capable of destroying the structures.

Energy company Ukrahydroenergo said the power plant at the dam had been blown up from the inside and was irreparable.