The collapse of a dam in southern Ukraine has unleashed an ecological crisis, threatening crops in the world’s breadbasket, and drinking water supplies for thousands.
Hundreds of dead fish revealed after flood waters receded is just one of the devastating effects wrought across the Kherson region when the Kakhovka Dam was destroyed two weeks ago.
It led to deadly flooding, endangered crops, threatened drinking water supplies for thousands and unleashed an ecological crisis.
Within a few minutes of an explosion at the structure in the early hours of June 6, water from the Kakhovka reservoir began cascading through the shattered dam, submerging the river’s sand bar islands and flooding much of southern Ukraine, including Russian-controlled territory.
Exclusive drone photos and information obtained by The Associated Press indicate that Moscow had the means, motive and opportunity to blow up the dam, which was under Russian control, earlier this month.
The blast occurred as Ukraine mustered for a counteroffensive.
Kyiv's forces have intensified attacks along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line recently.
Some analysts saw the dam breach as a Russian effort to thwart Ukraine's counteroffensive in the Kherson region.
Two weeks on, in the Korabel district of Kherson city, state workers are still pumping water out of basements and roads. At its peak, the water level here rose over two metres. Today it’s almost gone but the clean-up continues.
Cars that were recently submerged stand caked in mud. City workers and volunteers clear the streets of garbage and debris.
Emergency workers bring food and clean drinking water for the local population.
Irina who did not want to give her last name for security reasons, said authorities deliver water every day.
"They serve us, they bring it here. We always know at what time and when. We are already waiting for the rescuers. But the local authorities promised us that in another week everything will be fine” she said.
On Sunday, the United Nations rebuked Moscow for allegedly denying aid workers access to Russian-occupied areas of Kherson where residents are stranded amid “devastating destruction.”
The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, said in a statement that her staff were engaging with both Kyiv and Moscow, which control different parts of the area, in a bid to reach civilians in need. They face a shortage of drinking water and food and a lack of power.
Brown urged Russian authorities “to act in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law” and let them in.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov didn’t explicitly admit that Russia had blocked U.N. access, but told a conference call with reporters that Ukrainian attacks made a visit too risky.
Ukraine's presidential office said Monday that the Kherson region affected by the flooding endured 35 Russian attacks over the previous 24 hours.
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