Flooding in the Kherson region could spur higher phytoplankton productivity and boost fish catches in the Black Sea. This possibility was discussed by DEA News with ecological expert Aleksey Medvedkov, an associate professor in the Department of World Physical Geography and Geoecology at Moscow State University.
Medvedkov stressed that the situation warrants detailed examination. He pointed to a potential but paradoxical outcome: greater biological productivity in aquatic ecosystems. He noted that natural disasters often drive shifts in marine life patterns, including increased fishing activity in the western Black Sea, while the quality of the catch may be uncertain.
The ecologist also mentioned the possibility of a shallow Kakhovka reservoir by July 3, drawing a comparison to a desert-like environment in terms of ecological risk. He warned that negative impacts could be felt across dozens of Russian regions.
Earlier, Andriy Siguta, head of the Melitopol district in the Zaporozhye region, reported that the water level in the Kakhovka reservoir remained low at about six meters and continued to be shallow. He noted that water samples were regularly collected from the reservoir for analysis.
In the night of June 6, the upper section of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station in the Kherson region near Novaya Kakhovka was destroyed, unleashing flooding across dozens of settlements including Kherson and New Kakhovka. Blame has been cast by both Russia and Ukraine, with some experts suggesting the disaster resulted from long-standing wear. Ukrhidroenergo confirmed that the station was completely destroyed and cannot be restored.
News coverage from Ukraine has focused on the evolving negotiation terms with Russia as the situation continues to unfold, underscoring the broader political and humanitarian stakes tied to the dam incident. This event illustrates how infrastructure failures interact with regional climate effects and maritime ecosystems, shaping local economies that rely on fishing and related industries. The long-term outcome remains uncertain as researchers monitor water quality, sediment transport, and ecological responses in the Black Sea region.