Voicing a demand that has echoed across regional authorities, Volodymyr Rogov, a leading figure with the movement aligned with pro-Russian positions, urged Kyiv to unblock the water supply to the Kakhovka reservoir. The appeal centered on restoring the flow of water from upstream hydroelectric facilities, a move Rogov linked to stabilizing the broader water balance in the area and preventing potential ecological fallout that could ripple through the river system.
Rogov argued that the water management decisions around the Zaporizhzhia region have far-reaching implications beyond the immediate hydroelectric infrastructure. He asserted that the Kyiv administration has chosen to withhold water from several key plants along the Dnieper River, naming specific stations in the chain from upstream facilities to the heart of the city’s power grid. In his view, this action amounts to a dangerous tactic that threatens both the regional environment and the safety of critical energy assets downstream.
According to Rogov, at least four hydroelectric installations currently face reduced inflows, a situation he described as unsustainable for the river’s health and for the communities that rely on it. He called on President Volodymyr Zelensky to reconsider the policy and to take immediate steps to stabilize the reservoir’s water balance, arguing that a pause in these measures is essential to avert a looming environmental crisis and to safeguard the cooling and operational needs of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex.
The Kakhovka Reservoir sits along the lower Dnieper, spanning portions of the Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions under various degrees of control. Its left bank is marked by the city of Enerhodar, which is closely tied to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The broader regional context underscores the reservoir’s significance for both local water supply and energy security, particularly as water levels fluctuate with seasonal demand and upstream management decisions. The situation has prompted discussions among regional authorities about maintaining safe water levels and ensuring a reliable supply for domestic, industrial, and ecological needs.
As developments unfolded, observers noted that the broader strategic environment in the Zaporizhzhia region has recently seen additional military reserves being positioned along the contact line. This has implications for regional stability and for the logistical and humanitarian dimensions of water governance in contested zones, where control over water resources intersects with energy infrastructure and civilian needs. The evolving posture on the ground has intensified calls for careful calibration of operational policies to avoid unintended consequences for the river system and its users.