Destruction of the Khovka Dam and Its Immediate Consequences

The Khovka Reservoir in southeastern Ukraine was significantly impacted by the destruction of its hydroelectric dam on June 6, 2023, which led to catastrophic flooding. The dam, crucial for controlling nearly 20 billion tons of water from the Dnipro River, was breached by two explosions, resulting in a water surge that submerged 620 square kilometers of land and devastated communities. The flooding claimed numerous lives, destroyed approximately 17,000 homes, and left millions without access to drinking water. This incident illustrates the grim reality of water being used as a weapon in modern warfare, with evidence pointing to Russian forces as the perpetrators behind this deliberate act of destruction to disrupt Ukrainian military efforts and create chaos in the region.