Devastation From Kakhovka Dam Collapse Could Take Decades to Heal | Ukraine | The Guardian

The loss of the reservoir will also mean there will be far less drinking water for cities in the region and irrigation for the agricultural belt around it. A drop of just one metre is enough for traps to run dry. That will have a knock-on effect on food production, and on exports of wheat, corn, sunflower oil and soya beans, to the rest of the world.

The Kakhovka reservoir "was the heart of one of the largest irrigation systems in Europe" and its water "made it possible to grow up to 80% of all vegetables in Ukraine and a significant percentage of fruits and grapes", according to the agricultural thinktank, EastFruit.

One of the affected areas is Crimea, which Russia has occupied since 2014. The canal that supplies water to the peninsula has its intake just above the Nova Kakhovka dam. Crimea's reservoirs have been topped up in recent months so there will not be an immediate crisis, but over the coming year, it may render the maintenance of a civilian population and an army there untenable, possibly even forcing a withdrawal without a shot being fired. The grim irony of that is unlikely to be lost on Ukrainians.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Russians did it anyway. They don't value human lives, not even their own troops.

Biden administration officials believe the offensive began on Monday with a Ukrainian thrust south along multiple axes. A major goal is to cut the land bridge across southeastern Ukraine that connects Russia with its occupation forces in Crimea, U.S. officials believe. Part of Ukraine's strategy appears to be an attack along several lanes, so they can move forces among them to hit targets of greatest opportunity.

Administration officials were encouraged by better-than-expected progress Monday, as Ukrainian units pushed through heavily mined areas to advance between five and 10 kilometers in some areas of the long front. That raised hopes that Ukrainian forces can keep thrusting toward Mariupol, Melitopol and other Russian-held places along the coast — severing the land bridge.

Opinion | Counteroffensive Against Russia is Ukraine's D-Day - The Washington Post

This situation makes me really glad the United States doesn't have a Republican president right now. Republicans would most likely vote against supporting Ukraine against Russia.

A Russian channel points out after the Kakhovka dam destruction that Russia has a "trump card" which is blowing up the dam in the Kyiv reservoir

"Hundreds of thousands are likely to die. This dam is a time bomb whose timer has already started ticking"https://t.co/JmJM58OYXQ pic.twitter.com/nOqoFvhKJf

— Faytuks News Δ (@Faytuks) June 7, 2023

Speechless...

People on the left bank of the Dnipro river are asking for help. The Ukrainian military saw them via a drone, but they are unable to help because Russia controls this area. On the occupied side, no help is provided. pic.twitter.com/ighY10aMu8

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) June 7, 2023

That's how Russia liberates it's "russian speaking population" from "Kyiv nazis".  Happy Russian Language Day!

Meanwhile on Ukrainian hold territory:

This is humanity in Kherson, Ukraine.

People save animals risking their lives.

Look at how scared dogs are. I am glad these dogs live.

The fate of animals might not be the highest priority, but it is important that we care. It makes us people.

pic.twitter.com/wMRQQQWzWk

— Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) June 6, 2023

Alleged footage of this drone getting downed yesterday. pic.twitter.com/QkfCBna5wu

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) June 7, 2023

Brainiacs downing their own drones now.

More Leopards on their way to Ukraine 😜 pic.twitter.com/2nytfYz9o7

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) June 7, 2023