Catastrophe at the Zaporozhye NPP: The occupiers drain the Kakhovka reservoir (photo)
The publication writes that water began to decrease from the Kakhovka reservoir in November 2022. It goes through the gateway lands of a hydroelectric power plant controlled by Russian troops. Yes, the water level in the reservoir has fallen to the lowest mark in three decades. As a result, a coastline was formed along the tank.
According to the journalists, due to the decline of water in the Kakhovka reservoir is threatened with drinking water hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, as well as almost half a million acres of agricultural land. However, the most important thing - without water in the Kakhovka reservoir will not be able to operate the cooling system of Zaporizhzhya NPP.
The geographer from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Brian Kuns stated that the reservoir is necessary for the supply of water in arid agricultural land in the southern part of Ukraine. The network of channels leading from the reservoir irrigates about 200,000 hectares of land.
The publication writes that after a successful counter -offensive of the Armed Forces in the Kherson region, the invaders undermined the road over the dam of Kakhovka hydroelectric power plants, which regulates the water level in the reservoir. The gateway gates of the dam remained virtually pristine.
However, immediately after the explosion, it turned out that the Russian forces deliberately used two goat cranes on the Russian -controlled side of the dam to open additional gateways, allowing the water to start pouring out of the reservoir. Journalists write that radar altimetry data show the current level of the reservoir at 14 meters, which is approximately 2 meters below its normal height.
Since December, the water level in the reservoir has fallen to the lowest level over 30 years of satellite observations. According to Meteorologist David Helms, Russia wants to prevent Ukraine from exporting agricultural products to even more harm its economy. "It's like disconnecting the mains," he said.
The material states that the Zaporizhzhya Regional Military Administration suggests that the purpose of drainage of the reservoir may be partially flooding of the territory south of the dam, so as not to allow the Ukrainian forces to force the Dnieper River. The publication reminded that last week the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated its awareness of risks.
Earlier, Focus wrote that the forces of special operations reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation had staged a "blockade" of Energodar. According to the National Resistance Center, it is impossible to leave the city. The Russians do not produce residents for the sake of using them as a living shield. It is also reported that Russian invaders brought to the Zaporizhzhya NPP staff from Kalinin NPP. The Russians had Ukrainian instructors, but they refused.