Nearly 13,000 residents of Kharkiv Oblast may be affected by potential flooding caused by Russian strikes on the Pechenihy Reservoir dam, including 3,500 individuals with limited mobility, says Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, UkrInform reports.
The attacks are part of Russia’s efforts to halt the Ukrainian advance toward Vovchansk amid US-Russia peace negotiations, a city already entirely turned into ruins but not captured.
“Our response plans have been in place since 2022, as the Russians were already striking this critical infrastructure facility back then. All of them have now been updated, and all these plans are absolutely feasible,” Syniehubov explained.
Ukraine works on a notification system in response to the potential flooding
According to the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, informational work is being carried out in the relevant settlements.
“The main thing now, and we are working on this, is to notify the population. People must be potentially ready for evacuation, and we will be able to provide logistics, transportation, and temporary accommodation,” he added.
Ukraine has clear forecasts regarding the number of settlements that may be at risk of flooding and the measures that will be taken to respond in the event of this emergency.
Despite risks to civilians, the Armed Forces of Ukraine state that the temporary loss of movement across the dam will not have a critical impact on military operations.
