Undermining the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station: another terrorist attack of the Russian Federation

Undermining the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station

This morning, at about 3:00 pm on June 6, 2023, Russia committed another deliberate terrorist act - undermining the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station. Before undermining one of the most important hydroelectric power plants in southern Ukraine, the Russians raised the water level in the reservoir to a record 17.5 meters. This was done in order to cause maximum damage after the explosion.

As always, the Putin regime initially denied in principle the blowing up of the hydropower plant. But after a couple of hours, when the consequences became obvious, Russian propagandists began to shift the responsibility to Ukraine. 

Already, the settlements of Nikolaevka, Olgovka, Levo, Tyaginka, Ponyatovka, Ivanovka, Tokarevka, Pridneprovskoye on the right bank of the Dnieper and part of Kherson - Korabel Island, as well as 80 other villages are already under the threat of flooding.

In addition, dozens, if not hundreds of Russian mines were also washed onto the flooded or already flooded area. The maximum blow from the flood so far takes on the entire channel of the Dnieper south of the hydroelectric power station - Novaya Kakhovka, Dnepryany, and other settlements that are in close proximity to the reservoir.

Environmental implications 

The first and most terrible result of this act of terrorism may be victims among the civilian population and animals. Fortunately, there are no civilian casualties so far. Local Ukrainian authorities almost immediately announced evacuation measures.

The Internet has already been flooded with photo and video materials with the first consequences of the terrorist attack - houses floating with the flow, flooded to the very roofs of the village, etc. In the event of a complete shallowing of the HPP reservoir, the ecology of the region will suffer. Most of the reserves of the Kherson region, already devastated by the war, will first be flooded, and then will languish from the drought. 

Also, as a result of the explosion, a lot of technical liquids, including fuel oil, got into the waters of the Dnieper. In the near future, this water will not only be unsuitable for drinking, but also for technical use. 

Problems with water are already observed in Kryvyi Rih, and in Zaporozhye the level of the Dnieper begins to fall. In addition, problems with the cooling of the ZNPP reactors are likely. It is carried out at the expense of the waters of the Dnieper, which is now beginning to shallow. It is too early to sum up any results of the terrorist attack, the current water level can hold for a long time.

Consequences for the yachting movement of Ukraine

We cannot ignore the upcoming losses in the yacht and boat sector of Ukraine. The upper pool, which is to the north (toward Zaporozhye), has already begun to shallow. Marinas and moorings in Nikopol (yacht club of the Nikopol Yuzhnetrubny plant, Yakor yacht club), v.o. Energodar (the remains of the Borisfen yacht club) and Zaporozhye will soon be left without water. 

In Novaya Kakhovka, the situation is reversed - MaximMarine Yacht Club will go under water. This hotel is located on the Dnieper River, just 2 km from the center of Nova Kakhovka. Before the war, about 50 boats and yachts 9-12 meters long could be moored on the territory of the marina.

Previously, the cost of parking for a day ranged from 10 to 50 dollars. MaximMarine also offered yacht and machinery repair and maintenance services. In addition, it was possible to relax on the shore - spend the night, dine or have fun on the tennis court, sauna or gym.

If before the terrorist attack there were hopes for the resumption of work of MaximMarine after the war, now it is more like a dream.

06.06.2023