Russia accused of targeting Ukraine dam breach evacuation points

Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting evacuation points in the aftermath of the Kakhovka dam breach, resulting in one death and several injuries in the city of Kherson. The attack occurred during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the city, where he met with locals affected by the flooding. According to Kherson’s governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, 2,000 people have been evacuated from the area, despite the “immense danger and constant Russian shelling.”

Prokudin mentioned that 68% of the flooded territory in the Kherson region was on the Russian-held east bank of the Dnipro River. The river has been steadily rising since the Kakhovka dam collapsed, causing thousands to flee their homes. The World Food Programme warned that the situation could become a “public health crisis in the making” due to pollution, including sewage, heavy oil, and pesticides mixed into floodwater.

The flooding has affected an area of around 600 square kilometres, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without drinking water. The Ukrainian army has used drones to drop water bottles and food to some residents. Rescue teams and volunteers continue to work tirelessly, navigating boats to save people and salvage what they can.

Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of targeting evacuation points in the Kherson region. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to President Zelensky, accused Russia of bombarding the city and “preventing rescuers from evacuating the population.” In contrast, the Kremlin-installed head of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, claimed that two people died after Ukraine shelled a civilian evacuation point flooded after the dam breach.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov alleged that Russian rescue workers are “forced to work in conditions of ongoing shelling from Ukraine, and this complicates their work.” He did not provide evidence to support these claims.

During his visit to Kherson, President Zelensky criticised the international community, including the UN and the Red Cross, for their slow response to the dam collapse. He also assured local residents that his government would help them rebuild their lives.

Communities on small islands close to Russian occupied territory are said to be experiencing the worst of these floods, with entire homes submerged. A local Russian-installed official reported that five people have died and 41 have been hospitalised due to flooding in the region.

Meanwhile, fighting continues in some areas as analysts observe how Ukraine’s long-anticipated advance takes shape. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday that his forces had withstood fierce attempts by Ukrainian troops to break through the frontline in Zaporizhzhia province overnight. Social media footage appeared to show units of Ukrainian armour coming under artillery fire as they advanced towards Russian held areas in Zaporizhzhia region. In the east, Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said Kyiv’s forces were continuing to advance around the city of Bakhmut.