Ukraine's Kherson neighborhood is covered in water (Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday visited the epicenter of flooding in Kherson Oblast, large parts of which were submerged under water following the explosion of the Nova Hakhovka Dam on Tuesday. Zelenskyy, who blames Russian forces for blowing up the dam they have controlled since the start of the war, said he had spoken to local officials about the consequences of the disaster. He added that it was important to compensate the residents, many of whom lost everything and were forced to leave their homes.
The massive flooding in Kherson Oblast, part of which is under Russian control, has also claimed lives. According to the mayor of the Russian-controlled Nova Khakhovka, at least five people have been killed since the collapse of the Soviet-built dam in the 50s. Moscow blames Kyiv for the disaster and President Vladimir Putin called it a "barbaric act," but neither side has provided conclusive evidence.
Western countries, Ukraine's allies, have hinted that Russian forces appear to be responsible for the blast, but they stressed that at this stage it could not be determined.
FILE PHOTO: A view shows a flooded area after the Nova Kakhovka dam breached, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson, Ukraine June 7, 2023. REUTERS/Vladyslav Smilianets/File Photo (Photo: Reuters)
The dam explosion is already defined as one of the worst environmental disasters Europe has known in recent decades, and there is also concern about possible damage to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor. The reactor, which is under Russian occupation, received water supplies from the dam to cool its core. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) clarified that at this stage there is no concern for his safety.
Another danger posed by flooding the area is the drift of minefields. Eric Tollefsen, a senior Red Cross official, warned that the floating minefields were dangerous not only for Kherson residents, but also for those who came to help them.
"We knew where the dangers were," he told AFP. "Now we don't know. We just know they're somewhere downstream."
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Residents sail in a boat on a street flooded by the explosion of the Nova Kakhovka dam, in Kherson, Ukraine, June 7, 2023 (Photo: Reuters)
Valery Melnik, a resident of the town of Nova Hakovka, near the dam, walked among what was left of his home. "We're waiting until the water comes out, we're going to dry it," said Melnick, 53. He added that he hoped local authorities would pump the water, but so far "they are not doing anything."
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