Russia requests UNSC meeting over Kakhovka dam destruction
3 Min Read
This comes amid accusations directed at Ukraine that it destroyed the hydroelectric plant to transfer military units from Kherson.
-
Satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine on Monday, June 5, 2023. (Maxar Technologies via AP)
Three communities in the Kherson Region's Nova Kakhovka district have been entirely flooded as a result of the demolition of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, according to district director Vladimir Leontiev on Tuesday.
Shelling earlier in the day destroyed the top portion of the Kakhovka facility, and according to local officials, the dam's construction was partially undermined by shelling, resulting in the demolition of three spans under water pressure.
Kherson Region officials stated that they are prepared to evacuate the Nova Kakhovka, Hola Prystan, and Oleshky districts owing to a rapid rise in water levels.
Leontiev told Channel One that 900 people have been evacuated, calling the scale of the destruction "catastrophic," adding that "at the moment, we have only three settlements in the Nova Kakhovka district flooded. The destruction is large-scale, including infrastructure."
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Ukrainian troops damaged the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station in order to shift certain military units from the Kherson direction to their assault region.
Last night, Shoigu divulged that Ukraine "committed another terrorist attack," when it destroyed the station.
"The purpose of these actions, according to available data, is as follows. After failing in offensive operations, in order to strengthen its potential, the enemy intends to transfer units and equipment from the Kherson direction to the area of their offensive operations, thus significantly weakening its positions in the Kherson direction," Shoigu stated, adding that Ukraine was attempting to thwart Russia's offensive by targeting the station.
Shoigu explained that the right bank of the Dnipro River is where Kiev has begun building up defensive positions.
The Defense Minister highlighted how Ukrainian authorities discharged water from the Kamianske Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) for further flooding of regions, indicating that Kiev planned large-scale sabotage in Nova Kakhovka in advance,
The upper part of Kakhovka was destroyed by shelling early on in the day but the dam itself was not, however, city authorities stated the structure was somewhat destroyed by shelling. Kherson authorities reported a potential evacuation of Nova Kakhovka, Hola Prystan, and Oleshky districts due to a sudden change in water level.
"In addition, according to the available data, the discharge of water from the Kamianske HPP has been significantly increased, which leads to even greater flooding of territories. This fact testifies to large-scale sabotage planned in advance by the Kiev regime," Shoigu concluded.
Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia declared that Russia seeks a Security Council meeting over the Ukrainian attacks that triggered major flooding in the Kherson region. Ukraine has also requested a UNSC meeting.
"We will call one. Urgent one. I don’t know exactly the timing," Nebenzia explained to reporters.
