Russia-Ukraine Flash Report 05 JUN 2023 19:45 PDT - Nova Kakhovka Dam Destroyed (Patreon)

Overnight, the Nova Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River has completely destroyed. This level of damage could not have been accomplished by a missile strike but would have been done by massive amounts of explosives within the service tunnels and shafts within the dam.

This is a major crisis with the uncontrolled loss of control over the level of the Kakhovka Reservoir.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

The ability to access cooling water for the six reactors at the Zaporizhzia Nuclear Power Plant will become compromised as the Kakhovka Reservoir drains away. Even in cold shutdown, the reactors require cooling water to maintain safe operation. This will not be possible in an unknown timeline and at the start of Ukraine's dry season. This is one of the most urgent issues. Expect a furious response from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations.

Drinking Water for Millions of People

Up to three million people in free and occupied Ukraine will lose access to drinking water as the reservoir drains away. There won't be an easy fix to this unless Ukraine can push Russian forces further away from the banks of the Dnipro.

The End of Water to the Crimean Canal

As the water level drops, the minimum level to maintain water flow into the Crimean Canal will likely not be met, cutting off irrigation and drinking water to occupied Crimea.

Downstream Flooding in Kherson to the mouth of the Dnipro

The bigger impact will be on the east bank in Russian-occupied territories, which sits on lower ground, but there will be downstream flooding on both sides of the Dnipro. At the time of publication, there has not been an emergency declaration by Russian or Ukrainian officials for evacuations.

Could the Video be Fake

Anything is possible, and if this is fake, this is Industrial Lights and Magic, A budget movie grade good CGI with attention to every possible detail.

Who did it and Why

Given the level of destruction to the dam, it is highly unlikely Ukraine did this with Russian forces maintaining occupation of the hydroelectric power plant. This was a massive demolition. The only logical conclusion is this was done as a defensive measure to prevent a Ukrainian wet crossing of the Dnipro in the short term and to prevent Ukraine from using the dam as a hard crossing into occupied Kherson.