The Ongoing Infrastructure Crisis in Ukraine: Analyzing the Impact of Dam Collapses on Local Residents and Beyond

The collapse of the hydro-electric power plant and dam in Nova Kakhovka, southern Ukraine on June 7, 2022 has resulted in mass evacuations and a looming humanitarian crisis as the ecological disaster spreads. The significance of this breached dam is vital for the ongoing Russian-Ukraine conflict, as the Dam is the last of the cascade of six Soviet-era dams on the Dnipro River, a major waterway running through southeastern Ukraine. Multiple cities and towns in southern Kherson region, including Kherson, a city with a population of around 300,000 before the Russian invasion, all stand threatened by heavy floodwaters gushing out from the breached dam.

##What Do We Know About The Crisis?
It is still unclear what caused the collapse of the dam but early reports cited the possibility of internal explosions and sabotage. Both Ukrainian and Russian officials blamed each other for the damage, with Ukraine accusing Moscow of committing an act of “ecocide.” The Ukrainian military intelligence and officials claimed that the dam was destroyed by “Russian terrorists” and accused Moscow of panic-inducement, as they were gearing up for a widely anticipated counter-offensive. Amid the clash of accusations, satellite imagery analysis reveals that the dam was damaged shortly before its collapse and suggests dates between June 1st to June 2nd when the bridge section went missing. However, these investigations are still speculative. The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam is an ecological disaster and poses unprecedented threats of long-term environmental devastation and flooding for multiple countries and regions due to its large-scale volume of 18 cubic kilometers of water that it holds back in its reservoir.

##Implications for the Environment, Power Supply and Humanitarian Situation

The Kakhovka reservoir of the breached dam is the largest in Ukraine, and the damage resulting from the breached dam has been catastrophic, to say the least. It has created an ecological disaster, and the potential environmental impact could be extensive. Mohammad Heidarzadeh, a senior lecturer in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Bath in England, explained that _“These types of dams are extremely vulnerable, and are usually washed away quickly in case of a partial breach… a partial damage is sufficient to cause a complete collapse of the dam because water flow can easily wash away the soil materials of the dam body in just a few hours…”_ Unfortunately, the breach has made several towns and cities downstream of the dam such as Kherson, Korsunka, and Dnipriany vulnerable to floods and forced authorities to call for mass evacuations to save lives.

The breach of the dam also has implications for the power supply, especially since it is a hydroelectric power plant. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest power station, which is situated upstream of the breached dam, heavily relies on the reservoir for cooling water, and the supply must be consistent to minimize potential accidents. The reservoir that controls the cooling water supply to the plant, as monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency, is being affected by delayed water supply and risk of drying up. Ukrainian Energy Ministry reports indicate that around 12,000 people in the Kherson region are already facing power outages due to the flooding caused by the breached dam. Although there are no immediate nuclear safety risks at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant yet according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the situation remains highly volatile.

##The Impact on the Ongoing Conflict
The breach of Nova Kakhovka dam adds to the already worsening humanitarian crisis in southern Ukraine, a region under occupation by the Russian army. The breach could significantly affect an anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive against the Russian warring forces in the region. According to Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior aide to Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, the breach could significantly impede the offensive actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It is also feared that the Russian army may seize the ecological disaster for their advantage in the conflict. The breach of the dam is the result of the ongoing military conflict, and while both Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of causing the breach, it is vital to note that this disaster could have been averted if there was no conflict in the first place.

##Conclusion
The breach of the Nova Kakhovka dam is not only an environmental catastrophe but also a humanitarian disaster that further complicates the already complex situation with the Russian-Ukraine conflict. It poses potential threats to multiple countries and regions due to the large-scale volume of water the dam holds back. The breach of the dam affects power supply, is another blow to Ukraine’s fragile economy, and adds to the already crippling humanitarian crisis in the region. The international community must intervene and provide necessary humanitarian assistance and aid to Ukraine to help mitigate the impending crisis. The international community must also support Ukraine‘s sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemn Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory. Lastly, it is crucial to recognize that the breach of Nova Kakhovka Dam is the consequence of the ongoing conflict that should prompt both parties to come to the negotiating table and resolve this conflict diplomatically.