DAM-BUST IS WAR CRIME
»Outrage as massive blast triggers major flood
We are ready to support those hit by catastrophe JAMES CLEVERLY ON UKRAINE DAM ATTACK
THE destruction of a massive dam in Ukraine is a war crime, it was claimed yesterday.
Russian forces are prime suspects for the explosion that triggered huge floods, forcing thousands to flee for their lives.
Kyiv and Moscow blamed each other for blowing up the dam and partially destroying its hydroelectric power station.
Yesterday’s attack at Nova Kakhovka also risked Europe’s largest nuclear plant.
The blast on the “Russian side” of the dam sent Dnipro River flood waters rising by up to 40ft, hitting around 100 communities in the southern Kherson region.
Kyiv claimed Russia blew up the dam to hinder the new counteroffensive against the invaders.
Last night there were reports of mines still floating after the blast knocked the top off parts of the dam, which assists Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station with cooling waters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hit back at Russian claims his troops struck the dam.
He said: “It is physically impossible to blow it up somehow from the outside.” UK Foreign
Secretary James Cleverly said: “The destruction of Kakhovka dam is an abhorrent act.
“Intentionally attacking exclusively civilian infrastructure is a war crime.
“The UK stands ready to support Ukraine and those affected by this catastrophe.”
Experts fear if water levels plunge too far it will threaten a radioactive breach at the nuclear site. As levels upstream dropped by 20ft, Kyiv ordered residents downstream to flee in advance of floods. Many left on evacuation trains and buses.
Drinking water may also run short, even in occupied Crimea.
About 22,000 people live in Russian-held areas at risk of floods, while 16,000 live in the most
»Thousands flee after Russia blamed for attack
critical flood zone in Ukraine-held territory, say officials. Mr Zelensky ordered an urgent meeting of his National Security Council as he alleged Russian forces set off a blast inside the dam structure at 2.50am.
But the Kremlin’s Dmitry Peskov called it “a deliberate act of sabotage by the Ukrainian side – aimed at cutting water supplies to Crimea”.
Andriy Yermak, the head of
Ukraine’s President’s Office, posted a video showing swans swimming near an administrative building in the flooded streets of Russian-occupied Nova Kakhovka.
Nigel Gould-davies, from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the explosion “betrays a lack of confidence in Russia’s longerterm prospects” in the war.
Vladimir Leontyev, the Russianinstalled mayor of Nova Kakhovka, said it was being evacuated as water poured into the city.
Ukrainian authorities previously warned the dam’s failure could unleash 4.8 billion gallons of water and flood Kherson and dozens
of other communities. Igor Zhovkva, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said Russia’s claims that shelling had caused the damage were absurd.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today show: “I know there was a blast and it was made on purpose because you cannot ruin this dam [only] by shelling.”
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg last night warned Russia it would boost defences in member states if the Kremlin threatened their security.
The Secretary-general said: “NATO is there to protect all allies. If we see a danger then NATO will be there.”