Day 468 of the war in Ukraine.

Day 468 of the war in Ukraine.

Thousands Evacuated as Dam Collapses in Russian-Held Ukraine, Catastrophic Flooding Feared

A major dam collapse in Russian-held Ukraine has triggered the evacuation of thousands of people downstream. Ukrainian President Zelensky attributed the destruction of the dam at Nova Kakhovka to Russia, warning that 80 towns and villages were at risk of catastrophic flooding.

Water from the breached dam is surging down the Dnipro River, posing a significant threat to the city of Kherson. While Russia denied responsibility and blamed Ukrainian shelling, the claims from both sides have yet to be independently verified.

The Kakhovka dam is critical for the region, providing water to farmers, residents, and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. It also plays a vital role in supplying water to Russian-occupied Crimea.

Efforts are underway to evacuate around 40,000 people from affected areas, but concerns remain about the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with a potential Ukrainian counter-offensive on the horizon.