Kremlin Accuses Ukraine of Committing Sabotage Over Kakhovka Dam Explosion, Causing Crimea to Run Out of Water

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. (Wikimedia Commons/Have you guys?

JAKARTA - Ukraine has carried out sabotage at the Kakhovka dam and hydroelectric plant, which could have serious consequences for residents and the environment in the region, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

"The president received reports through the Ministry of Defense and other services about what happened around the Kakhovka hydropower plant. Here we can already say unequivocally that this is deliberate sabotage by the Ukrainian side," a Kremlin spokesman told reporters, citing TASS, June 7.

According to Peskov, "this sabotage has the potential to have very serious consequences for tens of thousands of residents in the region, environmental consequences and other as yet unknown consequences."

Furthermore, the Kremlin spokesman also mentioned, one of the goals of this act of sabotage is to deprive Crimea of ​​water.

"The water level in the reservoir has decreased, so the water supply to the canal (North Crimea) has decreased drastically," explains Peskov.

"Apparently, this sabotage was also due to the fact that, having launched a large-scale offensive operation two days ago, the Ukrainian armed forces were unable to achieve their objectives. Their operations have stalled," the spokesman continued.

However, he said it was the Defense Ministry's prerogative to comment on other details surrounding the situation.

"I can't say anything more," concluded Peskov.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Balance, Acting Governor of the Kherson Region, earlier reported that in the evening, the Ukrainian military launched an attack on the Kakhovka HPP, which may have come from MLRS Olkha.

The shot destroyed a hydraulic valve which triggered an uncontrolled discharge of water.

As a result, a number of areas submerged. At Novaya Kakhovka, the water level has already exceeded 10 meters. Currently, there are 14 settlements in the flooded area, and a total of about 80 villages may be inundated.

Residents in nearby settlements are being evacuated, although authorities say no large-scale evacuation is necessary.

Not only that, the collapse of the hydroelectric dam has caused serious environmental damage. Agricultural fields along the Dnieper River have been washed away, and there is a risk that the North Crimean Canal will become shallow.