Ukraine blames Russian-occupied dam as village grapples with flooding

Ihor Medunov paddles on a flooded island, which locals and officials say is caused by Russia's chaotic control of the Kakhovka dam downstream, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, May 20, 2023. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

LYSOHIRKA, Ukraine (Reuters) - As the water lapped against ruined appliances in Ihor Medunov's kitchen, he recalled the dozens of birthdays he has marked in his Ukrainian riverside village, most of which is under several feet of water.

Officials and residents of the island community say the village in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region blame the flooding on Russia's occupation of the Nova Kakhovka dam that lies 100 miles (160 km) downstream on the River Dnipro.