Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced the establishment of a dedicated headquarters to coordinate the response to the dam breach at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. He stated that the government has earmarked about $63 million to ensure access to drinking water for the affected communities. The action, described by officials, aims to organize a centralized effort that brings together ministers, deputies, heads of central executive bodies, and representatives of state-owned enterprises to manage this crisis.
Shmyhal explained that funds would come from the Recovery Fund, with allocations directed at building two new main water pipelines. The project targets reliable drinking water supply for Krivoy Rog, Nikopol, and the manganese-producing regions, acknowledging the essential role of clean water in the recovery effort.
In addition, approximately 846 million hryvnia (around $23 million) has been allocated to meet drinking water needs in the Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions. The plan also envisions extending water supply to residents in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions as conditions evolve on the ground. The government stressed that these measures are part of a broader initiative to stabilize essential services amid the disaster.
Interior Minister Igor Klymenko was named head of the task force charged with implementing these water-related relief measures, highlighting the cross-ministerial coordination required to address the crisis effectively.
Late on the night of June 6, the upper section of the Kakhovska dam was breached in the Kherson region near Novaya Kakhovka. The resulting flooding affected dozens of settlements, including the city of Kherson and New Kakhovka, forcing evacuations and prompting a rapid response from authorities and humanitarian partners.
Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of involvement in the dam break, with some theories pointing to advanced damage from long-term wear. Ukrhidroenergo, the state energy company, reported that the station sustained irreparable damage and cannot be restored to its previous capacity, signaling a long road to recovery for the water system and energy infrastructure in the affected area.
President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated at a press briefing that widespread breaks in hydroelectric facilities had occurred across several regions, and he warned of ongoing challenges in securing a stable water supply for residents in the immediate and surrounding areas.
Additionally, Igor Kastyukevich, a deputy in Russia’s State Duma and head of a humanitarian mission, stated that Russian volunteers have supported evacuation efforts in the flood zones under Moscow’s control in Kherson. He noted that volunteers continue to assist with water distribution and other essential needs to prevent potential health risks from disrupted supplies.