Ukraine: Russia Blows Up Kakhovka Dam to Prevent Southern Offensive

Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Malyar stated on Sunday that "Russian forces detonated the Kakhovka dam from inside the attached hydroelectric power station to prevent Ukrainian troops from advancing in the Kherson region in southern Ukraine." Malyar said, "It seems that the explosion at the Kakhovka hydroelectric station occurred with the aim of hindering Ukrainian defense forces from launching an offensive in the Kherson sector." She added, "The explosion, which caused a massive flood that submerged towns and villages, trapped residents and swept away homes, also aimed to allow the deployment of Russian reserve forces in the Zaporizhzhia and Bakhmut regions." A military spokesperson noted that "Ukrainian forces, which are conducting a counteroffensive against Russian troops, have advanced up to 1,400 meters in several areas along the frontline near the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine."