DISINFO: Ukraine releases water from hydroelectric power station to slow down Russian offensive
SUMMARY
The Ukrainian Armed Forces decided to release water from the dam at the Dnipro hydroelectric station in order to try to slow down the progress of Russian military personnel. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are only trying to postpone the inevitable liberation of the Russian city of Kherson.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Fluctuations in water levels in the Dnipro River are due to the balancing of the Ukrainian energy system, which was damaged as a result of Russian missile attacks on the Ukrainian energy system. Also, small changes in the water level in the Dnipro River cascade of reservoirs are due to the natural process of the spring flood in Ukraine.
The Dnipro River cascade, consisting of six hydroelectric power stations, makes it possible to control and regulate the natural process of spring floods on the Dnipro River. In the spring of 2024, five of the six hydroelectric power stations in Ukraine passed the flood as planned. The sixth - Kakhovka hydroelectric power station - is not working due to an attack carried out by Russia in June 2023.
Levels of flooding of Ukrainian territories as a result of spring flood are observed only in certain parts of the Chernihiv region (northern Ukraine, fully under the control of the Ukrainian army), informs the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center. They emphasize that on May 24-28, 2024, water levels will continue to decline throughout Ukraine. At the same time, the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center emphasizes that water levels in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine dropped significantly. Accordingly, controlled water discharges at Ukrainian hydroelectric power stations cannot in any way flood the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, where battles with the Russian army are taking place.
The Nova Kakhovka dam was captured by Russia at the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has been held by it ever since. The evidence suggests it was blown up from within. The circumstances of the destruction of the station are investigated by the United States, the United Kingdom, the UN Commission and the International Criminal Court. Ukraine not only initiated investigations, but also fully cooperated with independent experts, providing full access to the affected areas, witnesses, all information and evidence. Russia does not allow independent experts, observers or humanitarian workers into the territory of the former Kakhovka hydroelectric power station.
Read a similar case claiming that Ukraine plans to destroy another hydroelectric power station to blame Russia.