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Posted On

21
October
2022

Zelensky warns of possible explosion of Kakhovka HPP dam, calls for intl observers to be sent there

KYIV. Oct 21 (Interfax-Ukraine) – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky calls for an international observation mission to be sent to Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP).

"We have information that Russian terrorists have mined the dam and units of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. This is one of the large power facilities. The dam of this hydroelectric power plant holds a volume of about 18 million cubic meters of water. If Russian terrorists blow up this dam, more than 80 settlements, including Kherson, could be hit by rapid flooding," he said on Thursday, in an address via video link to EU leaders meeting.

"The water supply to a significant part of southern Ukraine may be destroyed. This Russian terrorist attack may leave Zaporizhia nuclear power plant without water for cooling – water for the Zaporizhia NPP is taken from Kakhovka reservoir," the president said.

In general, Zelensky said, the devastating environmental, humanitarian, and man-made consequences of this one Russian terrorist attack could become such that it will be called a historical disaster.

"According to our information, Russia has already prepared everything to carry out this terrorist act. Ukrainian workers were thrown out of Kakhovka station – there are only Russian citizens there. They completely control the station," the president said.

"We need an international observation mission at Kakhovka HPP. We need to return Ukrainian personnel there and ensure the immediate and professional clearance of the units and the dam. Russia is doing this to stage another false flag operation, to carry out a terrorist attack and blame Ukraine for this. But we all know that what is the truth," he said.