Evidence suggests Russia blew Kakhovka dam in Ukraine--New York Times | Inquirer ºÚÁÏÉç

ºÚÁÏÉç

Evidence suggests Russia blew Kakhovka dam in Ukraine–New York Times

/ 02:21 PM June 18, 2023

Kakhovka dam

A satellite image shows Nova Kakhovka Dam in Kherson region, Ukraine May 28, 2023. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS /File Photo

Evidence suggests this month’s destruction of the huge Kakhovka dam in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine resulted from an inside explosion set off by Russia, the New York Times said.

Citing engineers and explosive experts, the newspaper said on Friday that its investigation found evidence suggesting an explosive charge in a passageway running through the dam’s concrete base detonated, destroying the structure on June 6.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The evidence clearly suggests the dam was crippled by an explosion set off by the side that controls it: Russia,” the Times said.

FEATURED STORIES

Separately, a team of international legal experts assisting Ukraine’s prosecutors in their investigation said in preliminary findings on Friday it was “highly likely” the collapse in Ukraine’s Kherson region was caused by explosives planted by Russians.

The Kremlin accuses Kyiv of sabotaging the hydroelectric dam, which held a reservoir the size of the U.S. Great Salt Lake, to cut off a key source of water for Crimea and distract attention from a “faltering” counter-offensive against Russian forces.

Article continues after this advertisement

Ukraine accuses Russia of blowing up the Soviet-era dam, under Russian control since early days of its invasion in 2022, unleashing floodwater across a large swath of the battleground, destroying farmland and cutting off water supplies to civilians.

Article continues after this advertisement

Reuters could not independently verify the claims about the explosion’s cause.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Times cited engineers as saying only a full examination of the dam after the water drains from it can establish the sequence of events leading to the destruction.

“Erosion from water cascading through the gates could have led to a failure if the dam were poorly designed, or the concrete was substandard, but engineers called that unlikely,” the newspaper said.

Article continues after this advertisement

RELATED STORIES

Draining of Ukraine’s Kakhovka reservoir offers a reminder of past and present wars

War zone villagers flee after massive Ukraine dam destroyed

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the and acknowledge that I have read the .

EDITORS' PICK
entertainment
entertainment
globalnation
business
sports
lifestyle
TAGS: Conflict, dam, Russia-Ukraine war

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the and acknowledge that I have read the .

© Copyright 1997-2024 ºÚÁÏÉç | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies.