Kakhovka HPP completely destroyed: flooding poses threat to 80 settlements, evacuation of residents in Kherson region continues

The official channel of Ukrhydroenergo  reported  on the Kakhovka dam destruction.

"The detonation of the engine room from the inside rendered the Kakhovka HPP irreparable. The preliminary forecast estimates that it will take approximately four days for the reservoir to return to operation," the post reads.

As of 9:00 a.m. on June 6, the water level in the Kakhovka Reservoir has been rapidly decreasing, prompting the evacuation of residents from areas at risk of flooding.

Prokudin, the head of Kherson military administration, reported that as of 07:30, several settlements, including Tyahynka, Lvove, Odradokamyanka in Beryslav district, Ivanivka, Mykilske, Tokarivka, Ponyativka, Bilozerka, and the Ostriv neighborhood of Kherson, were either partially or completely flooded. He mentioned that preparations are being made for the flooding of other settlements as well.

Approximately 16,000 people residing on the right bank of the Kherson Region are within the critical zone. Efforts are underway to evacuate residents from these settlements using buses to Kherson, then transferring them to Mykolaiv, and further to Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, Kropyvnytskyi, Kyiv, and other destinations, as organized.

At 12:00, an evacuation train is scheduled to depart from Kherson to Mykolaiv at the railway station. Additionally, it has been reported that the Kazkova Dibrova amusement park, housing a zoo, in the temporarily occupied Nova Kakhovka has been flooded, leading to the loss of animal lives.

Information available regarding the Kakhovka HPP

On February 24 of last year, Russian troops took control of the main structure of the North Crimean Canal and the Kakhovka HPP.

The Kakhovka HPP is situated approximately 5 km away from the Russian-occupied Nova Kakhovka. The Kakhovka reservoir serves as the water source for the North Crimean Canal, which has been reopened by Russian troops since the start of the invasion. The canal's water intake is conducted at the Kakhovka reservoir.

This hydroelectric power plant is the lower and last (sixth) stage in the Dnipro reservoir cascade. The hydroelectric power plant near Nova Kakhovka ensures the annual regulation of the Dnipro river flow to ensure that the southern part of Ukraine has power and water.

On October 20, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing to stage a new large-scale terrorist attack - to blow up the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant in Kherson region. At the same time, he listed other consequences that could result from the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP and its dam:

• hundreds of thousands of residents in southern Ukraine are currently at risk within the danger zone and may face severe consequences as a result of the intentionally provoked flood.

• water supply to a large part of southern Ukraine and Crimea may be disrupted

• the Russian terrorist attack could potentially deprive the ZNPP of the essential water supply needed for cooling, given that the ZNPP relies on water sourced from the Kakhovka reservoir 

• the overall destructive environmental, humanitarian, and man-made consequences of such a terrorist attack would reach the scale of a "historical catastrophe"

Later, in response to Russia's preparations for a terrorist attack on the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, Halyna Luhova, the head of the Kherson City Military Administration, directly addressed the people of Kherson. In order to ensure preparedness for a potential dam explosion at the reservoir, she released a detailed action plan outlining the necessary steps to be taken. 

Response of other regions of Ukraine

Energoatom reported that as a result of the explosion, the water level in the Kakhovka reservoir is rapidly decreasing, which is an additional threat to the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP. 

The head of the military administration of Kryvyi Rih, Oleksandr Vilkul, reported on the situation unfolding in the region as a result of the hydroelectric power plant explosion on his Telegram channel.

It is noted that the city's important infrastructure, public transport, social and medical institutions are operating stably.

"We are currently holding an emergency meeting on water supply to the city after the enemy blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. The situation is very difficult," the post reads.

Vitaliy Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, noted that according to the State Emergency Service, there will be no flooding of the Kinburn Spit, but "it can (theoretically) flood the road and temporarily turn the peninsula into an island." 

"Don't panic. We are working in close cooperation with our Kherson colleagues," he emphasized.

Suspilne Kherson also published a video of what the Naftogavan area looks like in the Korabel neighborhood of Kherson. The water continues to arrive. Private houses and garages are flooded.

Satellite images of the HPP

In the morning, satellite images of the blown-up dam were released by Maxar Technologies.

2:37 p.m.

According to forecasts, water will be flooding the Kherson region within another 24 hours.

The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, said this on the air of the United News telethon.

"We expect the water to arrive within another 24 hours, so all departments of the Ministry will work around the clock," he said.

According to Klymenko, 24 settlements are currently flooded. Interior Ministry services have already evacuated about a thousand people. The evacuation continues. 

Five centers have been set up in Kherson where people can stay before being evacuated to other settlements.

2:24 p.m.

Journalists of Radio Liberty's Schemes project have published a satellite image of the destroyed Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant.

The latest Planet Labs satellite photos from June 6, 2023 show the aftermath of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant explosion. Compared to the image taken on June 4, it is clear that almost the entire structure of the hydroelectric power plant has been destroyed.

Ukraine calls for urgent UN Security Council meeting on Russian troops' destruction of Kakhovka dam

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has convened an urgent UN Security Council meeting regarding Russian troops blowing up the Kakhovka HPP.

Ukraine also appealed to the G7 countries and the EU to consider imposing new sanctions on Russia, in particular on the Russian missile industry and nuclear industry.

"We call on the international community to resolutely condemn the Russian terrorist attack on the Kakhovka HPP. The technological crime of the Russian Federation confirms the high relevance of the Peace Formula of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We call on international partners to join its implementation as soon as possible, in particular the points on countering ecocide, nuclear and energy security," the statement said.

Evacuation of the Kherson region residents

According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as of 1:00 pm, the State Emergency Service, the National Police, and volunteers evacuated over 650 civilians in the Kherson region. Additionally, more than 420 individuals evacuated on their own.

Local authorities, together with the State Emergency Service, are carrying out evacuation in flooded areas. They also deliver warnings using loudspeakers.

The water level in the North Crimean Canal has started to drop, evidenced by a video released by Crimean guerrillas.

According to a report from Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych, as of 12:00 pm, the water level in the waters of Mykolaiv has increased by 18 cm. However, there is currently no immediate risk of flooding.

Meanwhile, Mykolaiv is preparing to accommodate residents of the Kherson region.

Two gathering points have been assigned within Mykolaiv, namely the railway station and the bus station. People arriving at these locations will receive necessary aid.

From Mykolaiv, the residents of Kherson region will be further evacuated to other regions. The Lviv and Rivne regions have already declared their readiness to host people.

Events leading up to the situation 

In the morning, Vladyslav Nazarov, the spokesman for the Southern Operational Command, reported on his Telegram channel that Russian troops had blown up the Kakhovka HPP.

Kakhovka HPP is located a few kilometers from the temporarily occupied town of Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region.

"Efforts are underway to assess the extent of the damage, evaluate the speed and volume of water involved, and identify the areas at risk of flooding. All services are working," the statement said.

Evacuation of residents

As of 06:40 a.m., the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, announced the start of evacuation of the local population from dangerous areas.

"Dear residents of the Kherson region, the Russian army has committed another act of terror - it has blown up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. In 5 hours the water will reach a critical level. We have initiated the evacuation process for residents residing in high-risk areas. All necessary services are working on managing the situation. Please collect all documents and essentials and wait for evacuation buses," Prokudin said.

He also addressed the residents of the Dnipro River’s left bank and urged them to take all necessary actions to preserve their lives and ensure their safety.

"Leave the dangerous area immediately," he emphasized.

Additionally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has announced the evacuation process for civilians residing in potential flood-prone areas on the right bank of the Dnipro River, including part of the city of Kherson - the island of Korabel.

The post states that the water level is rising and everyone in the danger zone should

• turn off all electrical appliances

• take documents and essentials

• take care of loved ones and pets

• follow the instructions of rescuers and police

"And remember: the enemy is trying to spread disinformation and absolve itself of responsibility for another crime," the Interior Ministry added.

World’s and Ukraine’s reaction 

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, called Russia's blowing up of Kakhovka HPP criminal and reckless on Twitter.

“I condemn Russia’s destruction of a dam in Ukraine: it is criminal and reckless,” she wrote. 

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, is shocked by the destruction of the HPP’s dam, and promises to hold the Russian Federation accountable.

“Shocked by the unprecedented attack of the Nova Kakhovka dam. The destruction of civilian infrastructure clearly qualifies as a war crime - and we will hold Russia and its proxies accountable,” he wrote. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielus Landsbergis declared the need for Ukraine to win on the battlefield.

“Terrorists don't stop unless they are stopped. They don't negotiate with anything except force. They cause huge catastrophes without regret. I'll say it again: Lasting peace in Europe requires a Ukrainian victory both on the battlefield and in court. Nothing else will work” he wrote. 

On Twitter, Dmytro Kuleba also commented on the situation and noted that with these actions, the Russian Federation caused one of the largest man-made disasters in Europe.

“Russia destroyed the Kakhovka dam inflicting probably Europe’s largest technological disaster in decades and putting thousands of civilians at risk. This is a heinous war crime. The only way to stop Russia, the greatest terrorist of the 21st century, is to kick it out of Ukraine,” his message said.

Ukraine's Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, acknowledged the ongoing evacuation efforts in the Ostriv neighborhood of Kherson and the formation of evacuation trains to Mykolaiv. 

"We are assessing the consequences for the environment and the threat to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Due to the lack of access to it, such an assessment is difficult," he added.

Shmyhal condemned the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP as a terrorist act carried out by the Russian Federation, which bears full responsibility for the incident. The destruction of the hydroelectric power station poses a severe ecological disaster risk for the southern part of Ukraine. 

"The world must react. Immediately. But not just with words, but with actions. Russia must immediately withdraw from the ZNPP to avoid a further catastrophe," he wrote.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to another act of terror by the Russian army and said that by destroying the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam, they only confirm for the whole world that they must be expelled from Ukrainian land.

"Not a single meter should be left to them, because they use every meter for terror. Only Ukraine's victory will bring back security. And this victory will come. Neither water, nor missiles, nor anything else will stop terrorists from stopping Ukraine," he wrote.

It is also noted that all services are working.

"Please share only official and verified information," he urges.

Earlier, NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov tweeted about the urgent convening of a meeting of the Security Council of Ukraine.

"President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to hold an emergency meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine following the undermining of the Kakhovka reservoir dam," the post reads.

Satellite images of the blown-up hydroelectric power plant from Maxar Technologies have been released, Reuters reports.

Response of the Office of the President

The head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, posted a video of the aftermath of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant explosion on his Telegram and said that the Russian army would be held accountable.

"This is ecocide. Russia will be held responsible for the potential deprivation of drinking water for people in the south of Kherson region and in Crimea, destruction of some settlements and the biosphere. Their actions also pose a threat to the ZNPP," he wrote. 

Poland’s response

Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the blowing up of the Kakhovka HPP dam. The ministry called it "an unprecedented act of Russian barbarism in the occupied territories of Ukraine" and "a serious violation of the fundamentals of humanitarian law, environmental law which has signs of a war crime." 

"This act poses a direct threat to the lives of civilians residing along the banks of the Dnipro River, particularly those situated downstream from the dam. Furthermore, these actions also jeopardize the functioning of the Zaporizhzhia NPP and pose a grave environmental threat of unparalleled regional consequences and with implications for the whole of Europe. This increases material losses and will lead to further forced resettlement of the population," the Polish Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry added that Poland will take all necessary measures to hold Russia accountable for this criminal act at the international level and to ensure that those responsible face appropriate consequences. Poland will demand this through relevant international institutions and legal mechanisms, including humanitarian and environmental ones.

"Additional powerful sanctions must be implemented against the Russian Federation as a response," the Polish Foreign Ministry emphasized.