Ukraine Dam Breach: Current Situation And Potential Consequences

The aftermath of a breached river dam in Ukraine, which occurred along the front line of the country's conflict with Russia, continues to cause chaos for local residents, their livelihoods, and the surrounding environment.

Aerial view of flooded houses

On Wednesday, the devastating impact of Tuesday’s rupture of the Kakhovka dam, releasing a deluge of water from Ukraine’s largest reservoir, became increasingly evident. The affected area lies downstream on the Dnieper River, where tens of thousands of people reside amidst ongoing shelling.

As the dam was said to be neglected, its breach had been feared by both sides, yet took the 16th month old war to new heights. Some 40 villages and settlements have been flooded according to Martin Griffiths, U.N. humanitarian chief with thousands of people displaced, and ecosystems and wildlife destroyed. Ukrainian officials claim Russian-placed landmines in the dam are now potentially floating miles away from their initial mark.

The exact cause of the breach remains unclear, as the dam had already suffered damage during the war. Ukraine’s government, in control of the western bank and the city of Kherson, has accused Russian forces of intentionally destroying the facility. Conversely, Russian officials, controlling the eastern bank before the river flows into the Black Sea, have attributed the breach to Ukrainian military strikes.

Both governments are using the terms “ecological disaster” and blame each other for the “act of terrorism” of blowing up one of the world’s largest upstream reservoirs, the Kakhovka dam and its hydroelectric power station.

Rescue workers and authorities from both sides have intensified their efforts to relocate distressed residents to higher ground, combating the rising water levels. As of Wednesday, approximately 1,700 people had been successfully evacuated from Ukrainian-controlled areas.

Neither governments have reported any civilian deaths, although Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu asserted that Ukraine had suffered significant losses, including 3,715 troops and 52 tanks since Sunday. In an unusual admission of Russia’s own casualties, he stated that 71 Russian troops had been killed and 210 wounded. Ukraine refrained from confirming any numbers of its own casualties.

Water levels continue to rise, necessitating swift action. The affected region has an approximate population of 42,000 with Ukrainian officials warning of looming drinking water shortages.

Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, heavily depends on the reservoir that is currently being depleted by the dam breach. Although the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency has stated that there is “no immediate safety risk” to the plant, its six reactors having already been offline for several months. However, the plant still requires water for the crucial process of cooling.

Globally, the collapse of the dam resulted in a 3% increase in wheat prices. The exact reason behind this surge remains uncertain, as it is unclear whether there is a genuine risk of floodwaters causing damage to crops. Both Ukraine and Russia play vital roles as major global exporters of wheat, barley, sunflower oil, and other food products, supplying regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.