Drone captures water gushing from dam following Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant explosion

Drone footage captured on Tuesday shows the aftermath of a reported explosion at Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant that threatens 80 settlements with floods.

The images exhibit water spilling from Nova Kakhovka dam, while some buildings at the plant can be seen submerged.

According to emergency services, half the span of the dam was reportedly destroyed after the explosion. Both the Russian and Ukrainian sides accused each other of being behind the destruction.

The Russian Administration of the Nova Kakhovka district accused Kiev of launching Alder MLRS (RS-2) missiles attack at the station during the night, "the structure of the hydroelectric power station was partially destroyed, which subsequently led to the destruction of three of its spans under water pressure," they added.

Ukraine's military accused Russian forces of 'blowing up' the dam, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that the dam explosion 'only confirms for the whole world that they must be expelled from every corner of Ukrainian land'.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that 'no immediate safety risk' was reported after the dam failure, adding that it would continue monitoring the situation closely.

According to the Ukrainian governor of the Kherson region, Oleksandr Prokudin, about 16,000 residents were in the 'critical zone' on the Ukrainian-controlled right bank of the river.

Head of Novaya Kakhovka Vladimir Leontiev from the Russian side also declared the evacuation of residents from the Russian-controlled left bank in the Kherson region has begun.

The construction of the dam and its hydroelectric power station took place in 1956, establishing one of the largest energy facilities in USSR. With a water capacity of approximately 18 cubic kilometres, this facility supplies electricity to over three million people.

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