KIEV — Ukraine has accused Russia of exploding at a key dam, causing massive flooding and threatening 80 settlements, in a last-ditch attempt to derail Kiev’s counteroffensive. Kiev claims.

and statementThe Ukrainian Southern Operations Forces announced that “Russian occupying forces have blown up a dam” in Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region in eastern Ukraine.

EU and Ukrainian politicians have accused the attack of potentially leading to an ecological catastrophe in the region, raising concerns about the safety of the nearby Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, possible war crimes. .

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Condemns ‘Russian Terrorists’ Said “The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam only confirms to the whole world that they must be expelled from all corners of Ukrainian land,” he wrote on Twitter. “All services are working,” he added, adding that he had convened a national security and defense conference.

The Soviet-era Nova Kakhovka Dam bridges Ukraine’s Dnieper River and holds back 18 cubic kilometers of water, equivalent to Utah’s Great Salt Lake. The Nova-Kakhovka River also supplies water to Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. The dam serves as one of three major crossing points along the Dnieper.

“As a result of the explosion in the machine room, the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant was completely destroyed,” Ukrainian state-owned Ukrain Hydroenergo, which operates the power plant, confirmed in a statement. it is irreversible. ”

According to the company, the loss of water from the reservoir is also a new threat to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, where there have been repeated warnings that fighting could cause catastrophe.

“Water from the Kakhovka Reservoir is needed for the turbines and safety systems of the power plant,” Ukulhydro Energy said. “The stationary cooler pond is now full. Ukrainian staff at the nuclear power plant are monitoring all indicators.”

International Atomic Energy Agency Confirmed “Zaporizhia nuclear power plant specialists are closely monitoring the situation.” However, authorities have asserted that there are no immediate nuclear safety risks at the plant.

In a message posted to telegramOleksandr Prokudin, the mayor of the Kherson region, said that as a result of the explosion, “the water will reach a critical level within five hours” and residents of the nearby area will be forced to leave their homes. “About 16,000 people on the right bank of the Kherson are in the danger zone,” he said, adding that residents would be evacuated by bus. Ukrainian officials say about 80 villages are at risk.

Vladimir Leontiev, the mayor of Nova Kakhovka, a Russian-installed city, has reportedly denied that the dam was sabotaged by Kremlin forces, blaming Ukraine for the damage. Russian state media. Leontief provided no evidence for his own claims.

Assuming a disaster

For almost a year, Ukraine has been sounding the alarm about possible disasters at dams.

In October, President Zelensky claimed that Russia had mined the dam. His speech at the European Counciland called for international observers to be dispatched to the power plant. At the time, President Zelensky said Ukraine expected Russia to “carry out terrorist attacks and hold Ukraine accountable.”

In November, after the Kiev army launched a major counterattack, Russian forces blew up the floodgate At the Nova Kakhovka Dam, a clear attempt was made to slow the advance.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said: said in a tweet On Tuesday, he said it would be in Russia’s interest to blow up the dam now to deter an expected Kiev counterattack. The Ukrainian army is expected to rely heavily on tanks this summer. warm and dry weather That is the key to success on the battlefield. Tanks and other heavy equipment struggle in muddy ground and water.

Sergei Radchenko, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, said: “Looking at the situation, the Ukrainians are preparing to fight back and have already launched a counterattack. There seems to be more reason to do so,” he told Politico. This will no doubt make it more difficult for Ukrainians to cross the river. ”

European Council President Charles Michel said the dam explosion could amount to a war crime.

“The destruction of civilian infrastructure clearly constitutes a war crime and we hold Russia and its agents accountable,” Michel said. tweeted.

Special permits are given to dams protection It is regulated under international humanitarian law due to the existence of “dangerous forces” that can cause great harm to civilians. “International humanitarian law can provide vital protections, but only if states respect their legal obligations,” said Ariane Bauer, Eurasia director of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Said Russia is “probably causing Europe’s biggest technological disaster in decades, endangering thousands of civilians,” it added. “Atrocious war crimes”.

As soon as the dam was destroyed early Tuesday morning, Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. The country’s air defense force reportedly shot down all 35 Russian-launched cruise missiles, most of them aimed at the capital, Kiev.

The news of the dam explosion also comes as Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hannah Mariar said on Monday that the Kiev army was “aggressive” as part of growing expectations that the country would launch a major effort to retake the occupied territories in the east. We’re moving into action,” said a few hours later.

This is a developing story.

Veronika Melkozelova reported from Kiev. Victor Jack contributed the report.