Drone footage of the demolished Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine and the neighboring Russian-occupied settlements reveals hundreds of homes and structures under water along the Dnieper River.
Tens of thousands of residents were forced to leave after the hydroelectric dam's reservoir broke in the early hours of June 6, sending millions of liters of water gushing through a huge hole and triggering extensive flooding in the Kherson area.
The majority of the dam, which can contain as much water as Utah's Great Salt Lake, was buried in the recently published pictures. Dnipryany and Korsunka, two adjoining Russian-occupied settlements, were also submerged up to the rooftops of the houses.
Although less affected by the water and also under occupation, the neighbouring settlement of Nova Kakhovka was empty of people and animals. Water lapping up a prominent roadway and its Ferris wheel was stopped.
The Dnieper River is a component of the war's front line, and because of the fighting, many people have already left the region. Russia owns the low-lying eastern side, which is more susceptible to floods, while Ukraine retains the western bank.
Regarding the attack on the building, which had been under Moscow's control for more than a year, Russia and Ukraine have swapped accusations. While this was going on, several analysts said that the building's condition—which included war damage and bad management by Russian-backed authorities—may have contributed to its collapse.
In an email to The Associated Press, retired U.S. scientist David Helms stated that it was unclear if the damage was intentional or perhaps the result of carelessness on the part of the occupying Russian military.
Russian forces were held responsible for the Soviet-era dam's destruction, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a formation of the nation's ground forces. Russian authorities swiftly refuted the accusations and said that Ukrainian military attacks in the disputed territory were to blame for the event.
Neither side has made public proof of who, if anybody, was at fault available.
