Kakhovka HPP “collapsed”: for a month Russia has been trying to convince the whole world of its non-involvement

On June 6, the Russian occupation authorities blew up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant and continue to intimidate Ukraine with reports of mining the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Denying their involvement in the disasters, the Kremlin shifts the blame onto the Ukrainian authorities.

OUR HANDS ARE CLEAN

From the very first minutes after the catastrophe, Russian propaganda began shifting responsibility for the explosion and destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam onto Ukraine. Of course, in addition to the standard “Kremlin mouthpieces” such as Skabeyeva and Kiselyov, Russia spreads manipulation through its agents of influence abroad and paid journalists, or those who amplify Kremlin narratives, in order to convince the West that Ukraine is to blame for the catastrophe.

For example, American host Tucker Carlson (former Fox News journalist) launched his own show on Twitter, where he stated that Ukraine was responsible for the destruction of the dam and accused President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian media of lying.

The German outlet Bild changed the headline of its article about the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP by removing the mention of Russia. The original headline read: “Russians blew up a massive dam in Ukraine.” After publication, the wording was changed to: “A large dam exploded in Ukraine.”

Some global media outlets also broadcast Russian propaganda regarding the Kakhovka HPP. For example, Sky News and Politico quoted and disseminated Russian narratives in their materials, referring to the need to maintain balance of opinions. This is how ambiguity arose about who was actually responsible for blowing up the Kakhovka HPP.

Such examples cast doubt on the crimes of the aggressor state. However, all the facts indicate that Russia and its occupation regime are responsible for the explosion at the HPP, which caused a massive man-made disaster.

RETROSPECTIVE OF THE TRAGEDY

On the morning of June 6, the Operational Command “South” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported an explosion that destroyed the Kakhovka HPP dam, which was controlled by Russian occupation forces. As a result of the damage to the dam, uncontrolled water discharge occurred, flooding 80 settlements. Ukrainian authorities immediately organized the evacuation of civilians from areas at risk of flooding where evacuation teams would not come under direct enemy fire.

Experts consider the environmental consequences catastrophic, while environmental activists declare a real ecocide caused by Russia. It is already clear that flooding and water pollution led to the destruction of entire biogeocenoses. Dozens or hundreds of species of flora and fauna have suffered or will perish. According to preliminary estimates, environmental damage has already exceeded $1.5 billion. In the long term, the destruction of the HPP will also have significant consequences: due to reservoir depletion, vast irrigated areas will face drought. Experts predict that within five years Ukraine could lose up to $10 billion due to drought. Final environmental damage will be assessed after completion of the UN Environment Programme mission, which has begun evaluating the damage to Ukraine’s environment.

The State Emergency Service reports that as of July 2, one settlement on the right bank of the Dnipro River and 17 settlements in the temporarily occupied territory remain flooded.

REACTION OF UKRAINE

To address the consequences of the catastrophe and save lives, an urgent meeting of the National Security and Defense Council was convened. Within an hour, the start of civilian evacuation was announced. Since some flooded areas with Ukrainian civilians remain under occupation, humanitarian corridors were critically necessary.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the nation, stating that Russian occupiers had committed the largest act of ecocide in decades.

“Several things are obvious today. First, such an ecocide crime could not have occurred simply as a result of shelling the dam. To destroy it, Russian forces had to act deliberately – mine it, blow it up, demolish it. Second, no country in the world should be left alone against such terror,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated.