Wednesday, June 7

Russia’s war against Ukraine

A local resident holding his bike in the flooded streets of Kherson city on June 6. (Photo Credit: STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

Official: Kakhovka dam was blown up by Russia’s 205th Motorized Rifle Brigade. The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant’s dam in Kherson Oblast was blown up by Russia’s 205th Motorized Rifle Brigade, National Security and Defense Council chief Oleksii Danilov said on June 6, as cited by Ukrainian news outlet Liga.

Zelensky: Kakhovka dam explosion will not prevent liberation of occupied territories. The destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant’s dam in southern Ukraine will not prevent the liberation of Russia-occupied territories, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 6, following a meeting with the top military and government officials.

Wheat prices rise after Kakhovka dam explosion. Wheat prices rose by 3% after the explosion of the Kakhovka dam on June 6, according to the market data tracking service Barchart Trader. The price is now at $6,4 per bushel.

Ukrhydroenergo: Kakhovka Reservoir to disappear in 2-4 days. The flood peak from the spilling of the Kakhovka Reservoir will happen in the morning of June 7, Ukraine’s state-owned energy company Ukrhydroenergo wrote on June 6.

State Emergency Service: Nearly 1,300 people evacuated from Kherson Oblast after Kakhovka dam explosion. The State Emergency Service reported that nearly 1,300 people have been evacuated from Kherson Oblast as of 3 p.m. local time after Russian forces blew up the Kakhovka dam on June 6.

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State Emergency Service: Increased mine threat in Kherson Oblast due to flooding. The State Emergency Service urged civilians in Kherson Oblast on June 6 to remain vigilant of mines dislodged by flooding after Russians blew up the Kakhovka dam.

Zelensky: Ukraine retrieved 2,500 POWs since start of Russian full-scale invasion. President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a June 6 press conference that since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine has brought back about 2,500 prisoners of war, including about 370 civilians.

Russian proxy in Crimea claims no water shortages on peninsula. Moscow-installed head of occupied Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, claimed on June 6 that the peninsula’s water reservoirs were “about 80% full” following Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric plant supplying Crimea with water.

Ukraine calls for new sanctions against Russia after Kakhovka dam explosion. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry urged the countries of the G7 and the European Union to immediately consider new sanctions against Russia after the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam on June 6.

Official: Ukraine to build new station instead of destroyed Kakhovka hydroelectric plant. Ukraine will build a new power plant on the site of the destroyed Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant located on the Russian-occupied east bank of the Dnipro River once it liberates the territory, head of Ukraine’s state-owned energy company Ukrhydroenergo Ihor Syrota said on June 6.

Read our exclusives

What are the consequences of the Kakhovka dam’s demolition?

The destruction of the Kakhovka dam can lead to serious humanitarian, ecological, economic, military, and legal consequences.

Photo: Roman Mrochko via Telegram

Inside assault training in Donbas: ‘If you want to survive — learn’

Kyiv Independent reporter Asami Terajima spoke with the motivated brigade in Donetsk Oblast before their battlefield debut.

Photo: The Kyiv Independent

Human cost of war

Interior Ministry: Russian forces attack Kherson as rescue workers evacuate civilians. Two Kherson police officers were injured by Russian artillery fire while trying to evacuate civilians from flooding caused by Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, the Interior Ministry reported on June 6.

International response

World leaders condemn Russia’s destruction of Kakhovka dam, call it war crime. World leaders and international organizations are reacting to the growing humanitarian and environmental disaster caused by Russia blowing up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, with many calling it a war crime.

White House: ‘We cannot say conclusively who is responsible for Kakhovka dam breach.’

U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration “cannot say conclusively” who was responsible for the breach of the Kakhovka dam, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told the media on June 6.

IAEA chief to lead mission to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant after Kakhovka dam demolition. Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, will lead an IAEA mission to the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant after the Kakhovka dam demolition.

Media: Australia considers sending F/A-18 fighter jets to Ukraine. Australia may send its 41 retired F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets to Ukraine, the Australian Financial Review reported on June 6. Canberra is reportedly discussing this possibility with the American and Ukrainian partners.

EU to aid Ukraine after Kakhovka dam breach. The European Union will help Ukraine with the aftermath of the Kakhovka dam breach, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on June 6.

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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Teah Pelechaty, Kate Tsurkan, Dinara Khalilova, Toma Istomina, Martin Fornusek, Haley Zehrung, and Anastasiia Malenko.

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