On June 6, the forces of the Russian army blew up one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in the territory of Ukraine. It is impossible to predict the full scale of the consequences for nature. However, even what is already known is impressive.
How did it happen?
After the first information about the dam’s detonation appeared in the media, Russian representatives denied it. However, an hour later, the Russian side also began to write about the disaster on the Internet and broadcast it on TV news.
At the same time, the representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine reported that Ukraine has evidence of remote detonation of the dam by the occupying forces. Facts about the movement of explosives and special equipment for the explosion can be provided to the world community.
What exactly happened?
There were 28 sections at the Kakhovka HPP, 11 of which were destroyed after the detonation of explosives. Immediately after that, the uncontrolled descent of water began. According to preliminary estimates, at least 80 settlements fall into the flood zone. Such cities as Kherson and Nova Kakhovka are already beginning to flood. In Kherson, the supply of electricity has been partially stopped and they plan to disconnect the gas supply to prevent accidents.
In addition to the dam, turbines, and generators were blown up too.
Consequences
According to various estimates (the data is still being clarified), the damage caused by the occupier amounts to about 1 billion dollars. Full restoration of the Kakhovka HPP is impossible.
Ukraine suffered losses in the following areas:
– energy;
– navigation – the Dnipro is no longer navigable on the territory of Ukraine;
– agriculture – territories of the Kherson region, part of the Zaporizhzhia region lost their agricultural land;
– water supply – only the territory of Crimea may remain without normal water supply for the next 10-15 years;
– ecology – loss of forests and steppes, death of animals from the flood, leakage of 600-800 tons of turbine oil into the waters of the Black Sea.
This is just a small list of problems caused by the disaster.
Why?
One of the most likely reasons is to stop a counterattack. Recently, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have advanced in many areas of the front. However, the need to urgently evacuate the population and eliminate the consequences of the disaster will stop this process.
The second reason is the attempt to destroy the economy of Ukraine. The consequences of this action are the most significant over the last year. They are incomparably greater than the bombing of energy facilities, which was carried out by Russia in the fall and winter.
