MOSCOW: Russian authorities say Ukrainian attacks have damaged hydraulic infrastructure at the Belgorod Reservoir, causing an uncontrolled release of water and raising concerns over potential flooding in nearby communities.
According to the operational headquarters of Russia’s Belgorod region, the damage occurred during shelling over the weekend and affected equipment at the reservoir’s hydraulic engineering complex, which officials described as civilian infrastructure.
Regional authorities said the incident triggered an unplanned discharge of water from the reservoir. They also alleged that Ukrainian forces continued targeting the dam after the initial damage, claiming that attacks on the facility remained ongoing.
Officials said emergency teams and regional authorities are working alongside the relevant federal agency responsible for managing the reservoir to stabilize the situation and prevent further deterioration.
Authorities warned that additional damage to the dam could significantly increase the risk of flooding in surrounding settlements, potentially putting thousands of residents at risk if the structure suffers a major breach.
The claims have not been independently verified, and Ukrainian authorities had not publicly commented on the allegations at the time of publication.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE