Dam destruction in Donetsk: Escalating tensions in Ukraine
According to reports from Ukrainian and Russian media, the dam of the Kurakhiv Reservoir has been blown up in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. As the head of the military administration of the city of Kurakhove conveyed, water is now flowing through the villages near the dam.
The Kurakhiv Reservoir is situated on the Volchi River, which is a left tributary of the Samara River.
The Donbass News portal, citing a source within the rescue services, reported that the dam was destroyed as a result of morning shelling from Russia. However, Russian media, often accused of propaganda, claim that the dam was destroyed by Ukrainian troops.
Information about the damage to the dam was confirmed by the head of the military administration of Kurakhove, Roman Padun. "We know that water is flowing through the villages near the dam. We cannot confirm the nature of the damage or its severity. Due to ongoing shelling, we cannot inspect the dam," Padun stated.
The official also noted rising water levels along the Volchi River.
Kurakhove and the villages located below the Volchi River in the floodplain area are controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as noted by ASTRA. However, the situation has recently been shifting to the disadvantage of the Ukrainians, with Russian forces increasingly gaining control of the territory.
"Kurakhove is an important logistical hub for the Ukrainian military. The Russian army is encircling the city. The loss of Kurakhove would effectively end the Ukrainian Armed Forces' resistance in southern Donbas," emphasizes the Russian independent portal Meduza.
