A press briefing addressed the disruption at the Kakhovka hydroelectric facility, noting that drinking water availability could be affected across several Ukrainian regions. The announcement outlined an emerging water-security challenge for residents and local authorities as officials begin immediate assessments and forecast longer-term impacts on water supplies and public health.
Zelensky explained that as many as 80 settlements might confront flooding or related water-management issues stemming from the dam’s damage. He refined the estimate to indicate that 35 to 80 communities could be impacted as floodwaters advance and critical infrastructure comes under pressure. The range reflects the evolving understanding of the event as emergency teams model water flows and prioritize protecting essential facilities.
The president emphasized expected drinking-water problems in multiple key areas, naming the Dnieper region along with the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. Local water utilities and emergency services began contingency planning, including alternative water-supply arrangements and prioritization of vulnerable populations during repairs and containment efforts.
Officials anticipate a clearer picture within about a week, once the immediate flood tide subsides and monitoring data is consolidated. Detailed assessments on water quality, reservoir levels, and the status of municipal water systems will be published as information is verified, enabling communities to make informed safety and resource decisions.
In the early hours of June 6, the upper section of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station sustained damage in the Kherson region near Novaya Kakhovka. The breach prompted rapid flooding in several towns, including Kherson and New Kakhovka, raising concerns about the security of energy and water infrastructure.
Both Russia and Ukraine have assigned blame for the dam break, while investigators consider the possibility of preexisting structural issues. Ukrhidroenergo, the state energy company overseeing water management and hydropower, reported catastrophic damage to the station and indicated that restoration in its present form would not be feasible. This has sparked discussions about longer-term repair plans and the implications for regional energy and water reliability.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu suggested that the dam’s structural undermining could have occurred due to actions in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials rejected external-interference theories, stressing the need for verified evidence and a careful, evidence-based investigation to determine the sequence of events and accountability, while continuing to coordinate emergency response across affected areas.
As the situation develops, Ukrainian authorities stressed that undermining a dam from outside the country remains unlikely and that definitive conclusions require thorough inquiry. The focus remains on safeguarding residents, stabilizing essential services, and accelerating recovery plans once the full scope of the incident becomes clear.