The Russian Invasion|The Dam Collapse

Flooded society/Volodymyr Zelenskyj. TT  

 

The Russian Invasion|The Dam Collapse  

Zelenskyy disappointed with UN and Red Cross: "Shocked"  

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says in an interview with German Bild that he is "deeply disappointed" in the UN and the Red Cross after the dam collapse in Kakhovka. According to Zelenskyj, the organizations have not been on site to assist in the rescue work, nor have they responded to direct requests.  

 

- We have not received an answer, I am shocked, says Zelensky. 

 

He also says that he is convinced that Russia caused the collapse, but that it is impossible for Ukraine to present evidence at the moment because the dam is located in an area controlled by Russia.  

 

People fly from their homes in boats. Felipe Dana / AP  

 

Putin blames Kyiv: "A barbaric act" 

 

The dam collapse in Ukrainian Kakhovka is a "barbaric act from Kyiv". This is what Russian President Vladimir Putin says in a conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, AFP reports.  

 

According to Putin, the incident has led to a "large-scale environmental disaster". 

 

It remains unclear who or what is behind the collapse. Ukraine and its Western allies blame Russia for blowing up the dam, while Russia blames Ukraine. CNN has reported that it is also conceivable that structural weaknesses that arose during Russia's occupation caused the collapse, writes TT.  

 

Erdogan suggested earlier on Wednesday, in a conversation with Ukrainian President Zelensky, that an international investigation should be set up after the collapse. According to Russian Tass, the same issue was raised during the conversation with Putin.  

 

Flooded streets in Kherson. AP  

 

Ukraine: Russian soldiers and mines washed away  

 

Ukrainian soldiers witnessed how Russian soldiers were washed away in the waters and forced to flee the banks of the Dnieper River after the Kakhovka dam collapsed, Ukrainian officer Andriy Pidlisnyi told CNN. 

 

- The left bank is lower than the right, so it is more flooded. Enemy positions right on the river bank were also flooded, he says. 

 

According to Pidlisnyi, several Russian soldiers died and were injured in the chaos.  

 

Earlier in the day, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov warned that mines have also been washed away and pose an explosion risk. In addition, there is a risk of toxic chemicals and diseases in the water, he added according to Reuters.