Zelensky: "Russia planted mines in Kherson dam... Fear of a major disaster if exploded"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, warned that Russia has planted mines to blow up a dam in the major battleground region of Kherson, which could cause a great disaster.

According to CNN on the 20th (local time), President Zelensky stated in a speech video posted on social media that "According to information, Russian terrorists have planted mines on the Kakhovka Dam and its facilities." The Kakhovka Dam is a multipurpose dam located in Nova Kakhovka city, Kherson Province, serving as a major infrastructure supplying water resources and electricity to the area. Currently, the surrounding area is occupied by Russian forces.

President Zelensky said, "If the Russian military blows up the dam, the North Crimean Canal will literally disappear," adding, "It will be a disaster of enormous scale." The North Crimean Canal connects the Dnipro River to the Crimean Peninsula and plays a role in supplying water resources to the Crimean Peninsula area.

There are concerns that the Russian military may deliberately blow up the dam to prepare for a major offensive and delay the advance of Ukrainian forces. The U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) pointed out, "The Russian military may plan to evacuate civilians first, then destroy the dam and blame the Ukrainian forces for it."

According to AFP, Ukrainian forces are currently about 40 km north of the dam. It is reported that Ukrainian forces have repeatedly shelled bridges around the dam to prevent Russian forces from using them.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.