Ukraine says Russia blew up Kakhovka dam to prevent offensive in south

A local resident looks out of a window of an apartment building in a flooded area after the Nova Kakhovka dam breached, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson, Ukraine June 10, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Klymenko

KYIV (Reuters) -The Khakhovka dam was blown up by Russian forces to prevent Ukrainian troops from advancing in the southern Kherson region, deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said on Sunday.

Ukraine has accused Russian forces of blowing up the dam from inside its associated hydroelectric power station. The site has been under Russian occupation since the early weeks of Russia's invasion in February last year.