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Environment

Ukraine Kakhovka dam explosion: Flooding is devastating wildlife

Thousands of people have been evacuated due to the breach of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine. In a briefing, a minister for the Ukraine government explained how it is also harming ecosystems and farms

By James Dinneen

8 June 2023

A partially flooded area of Kherson, Ukraine — A partially flooded area of Kherson, Ukraine
AFP via Getty Images

Flooding caused by the breach of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine will have devastating effects for ecosystems and farms as well civilian populations downstream, according to the country’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.

Ukraine and Russia have each accused the other of breaching the dam, which spans the Dnieper river north-west of the city Kherson. The dam has been controlled by Russian forces for more than a year.

When an explosion breached the dam on 6 June, there were over 18 …

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