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20
October
2022

Zelensky warns of possible explosion of Kakhovska hydroelectric dam, calls for intl observers to be sent there

KYIV. Oct 20 (Interfax-Ukraine) – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky calls for sending an international observation mission to the Kakhovska hydroelectric power station (HPP).

"We have information that Russian terrorists have mined the dam and the units of the Kakhovska hydroelectric power station. This is one of the largest energy facilities. The dam of this hydroelectric power station holds a volume of about 18 million cubic meters of water. If Russian terrorists blow up this dam, then more than 80 settlements, including Kherson, will be in the zone of rapid flooding," he said on Thursday, speaking via video link at a meeting of the European Council.

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

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

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

"We need an international observation mission at the Kakhovska HPP. It is necessary to return Ukrainian personnel there and ensure the immediate and professional clearance of aggregates and dams. Russia is doing this in order to arrange another operation under a false flag, commit a terrorist attack and blame Ukraine for this. But you and I know what the truth is," he said.