Ukraine's Security Service releases intercepted call proving Russia blew up Kakhovka HPP

Russian soldiers revealed the information in a phone conversation intercepted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

"It wasn't them (the Ukrainian side - ed.) who did it. Our sabotage group was there. They wanted to scare people with this dam. It didn't go according to plan, the outcome was greater," says a Russian soldier.

He also describes the aftermath of the disaster, which Russia is attempting to conceal, namely increased water levels, widespread flooding, and destruction.

The SBU has opened a criminal investigation into Russia's war crime.

"By blowing up the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, Russia has finally proved that it is a threat to the entire civilized world. After all, only a true terrorist state can cause a man-made and environmental disaster of this level. And it will definitely be held accountable for this - both on the battlefield and in international courts. Our task is to bring to justice not only the top of Putin's regime but also rank-and-file perpetrators of crimes," emphasized SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk.

The investigation was launched under two articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code - Article 438 (violation of the laws and customs of war) and Article 441 (ecocide).

The Kakhovka dam explosion 

On June 6, Russian occupying forces blew up the Kakhovka HPP, completely destroying it.  The tragedy resulted in the flooding of settlements in the Kherson region, including Kherson city. There are also reports of flooding in Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, resulting in fish pestilence. Follow the detailed course of events here.

As of Thursday evening, June 8, the water level in the Kherson region dropped by 6 cm.

In Mykolaiv, the water level in the city is being monitored. As of the night of June 9, there has been a drop of 5 cm in the water level.  Currently, the water level in the aquatorium has decreased to 100 cm.