Explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station: catastrophe in Ukraine

By Zoriana Shuprudko

At 2:50 am on 6 June, a catastrophe occurred that had been warned about, feared, and sometimes even apocalyptic scenarios were used to describe its consequences. Russian troops blew up the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, a plant that supplies southern Ukraine with electricity and fresh water. This station is also important for the operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, as the filling of its cooling ponds depends on the water level in the Dnipro.

(Source: CNN)

In the first hours after the explosion, water completely or partially flooded eight settlements and one neighborhood of Kherson on the right bank. President Zelensky ordered evacuations from the flooded areas and the provision of water to all settlements whose water supply was provided from the Kakhovka reservoir.

According to the ministry, about 80 settlements are in the zone of potential flooding now, most of them temporarily occupied. Residents of the left bank of the Kherson region are being urged to move away, as the threat of flooding is higher there.

Massive fish deaths, changes in the riverbed, dust storms in the place of flowering fields, and destruction of rare species and biosphere reserves in the Kherson region - these are the consequences of the occupiers' undermining of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam.

At the same time, the Ministry of Ecology stressed that the shores of the Kakhovka Reservoir will not be habitable for decades. To rebuild the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, billions of dollars and euros should be raised. In addition, the hydroelectric power plant will need to be equipped with all the latest technological, technical, and scientific achievements.

Ukrainians are furious about the response of the world.

“Tuesday is Russian Language Day,” the UN Twitter account said, linking to the organization’s profile in Russian on the same day when the dam was blown up. “The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people live in peace and prosperity. Learn more about the plan for a better and more sustainable future for all,” urges the UN post written in Russian.