Ukraine responsible for sabotage at Kakhovka HPP, says Kremlin
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Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov blames Ukraine for the recent sabotage of the Kakhovka HPP.
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Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov attends the Russia-Armenia talks on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union Forum at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, May 25, 2023. (AP)
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Ukraine has committed sabotage at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), which could have grave consequences for the region's residents, as well as the environment.
The Kremlin spokesperson told reporters that the president is being constantly updated by the Defense Ministry and other services on the latest events regarding the Kakhovka HPP, adding "Here we can already say unequivocally that this is deliberate sabotage by the Ukrainian side."
"This sabotage has the potential to cause very serious consequences for tens of thousands of the region’s residents, environmental consequences, and consequences of another nature that are yet to be established," according to Peskov.
The spokesperson also strongly believed that one of the goals behind the sabotage was to deprive Crimea of water, adding that "the water level in the reservoir is dropping, hence, the water supply to the [North Crimean] canal is drastically reduced."
"Apparently, this sabotage is also due to the fact that, having launched large-scale offensive operations two days ago, the Ukrainian armed forces have been unable to achieve their aims. Their operations are stalled," the spokesman said.
Peskov concluded that it was the prerogative of the Defense Ministry to comment on other details around this situation and that "I cannot say anything further."
Acting Governor of the Kherson Region, Vladimir Saldo, reported earlier that at night, the Ukrainian military delivered a strike on the Kakhovka HPP, presumably from an Olkha MLRS. The shelling destroyed the hydraulic valves which triggered an uncontrolled discharge of water.
The water level has already exceeded 10 meters in Novaya Kakhovka and 14 settlements are already flooded in the area with a total of about 80 villages inundated. Moresow, residents of nearby settlements are being evacuated, even though authorities have said no large-scale evacuations are necessary.
The dam's collapse caused serious environmental damage and agricultural fields along the Dnieper River have been washed away with a risk that the North Crimean Canal will become shallow.
Read more: Ukraine considered destroying Nova Kakhovka dam: WaPo
