The extent of the destruction in southern Ukraine is huge – and the consequences for people, the environment and the course of the war are not yet foreseeable. Even on the day after the Kachowka dam ruptured, which was obviously caused willfully, gigantic masses of water continued to flow towards the Black Sea, sweeping away everything that stood in their way. Streets, houses, cars, animals. The home of tens of thousands of people falls victim to the floods.
Images from the US satellite company Maxar Technologies give an impression of the extent of the destruction of entire regions, but the suffering of the people remains difficult to capture. The images show sections of the region between the destroyed dam along the Dnipro River and its mouth. According to the company, the “World View 1” satellite scanned a total of more than 2500 square kilometers – before the destruction of the dam and a few hours later.
In the following graphics you can use the slider to get an idea of the damage. To do this, move the white bar to the left or right. Color photographs from the period after the dam ruptured are not yet available.
↑ Detail 1: There is almost nothing left of the Kachowka Dam, the water makes its way downstream.
↑ Excerpt 2: Streets and houses are flooded in the south-east of the former city of Cherson.
↑ Excerpt 3: Port areas, industrial plants and railway lines are under water in Cherson.
↑ Excerpt 4: The village of Krynky on the banks of the Dnipro is also largely submerged in the floods. More than 2500 people once lived there.
↑ Excerpt 5: In addition to the settlements, forests and agricultural areas in the vicinity of Krynky also fell victim to the water masses.
↑ Excerpt 6: In the neighboring village of Korsunka, the situation is just as devastating. From some houses only the roofs stick out of the water.
↑ Excerpt 7: Korsunka is also likely to remain uninhabitable in the long run.
↑ Excerpt 8: In the town of Nowa Kachowka was the dam, but also port facilities and industrial plants. They are also destroyed.
Image Source: Satellite Image © 2023 Maxar Technologies
