The dam attack in Ukraine is a ruthless act of destruction – and shows just how desperate Putin is
The blowing up of the Nova Kakhova dam is one of the most spectacular acts of destruction in the war so far. One which will have an impact on the unfolding Ukrainian military offensive, as well as inflicting terrible civilian suffering and environmental damage.
Both sides have blamed each other for the blasts. But there is no reason for the Ukrainians to flood the city of Kherson, which they have retaken from the Russians, and make it difficult for operations taking place in the southern flank.
For Moscow it may make strategic sense – albeit with appalling collateral damage – to waterlog ground where Ukrainian forces were planning an armoured thrust. It has carried such acts in Ukraine in the past, in 1941 the Dnipro hydroelectric plant was blown up to slow down rapidly advancing German forces.
