The consequences of the Russian missile attack on the largest hydroelectric plant in Ukraine – Svyat

IN at the end of March, Russian shelling seriously damaged the largest hydroelectric plant in Ukraine. The attack on the Dnieper hydroelectric plant and dam in the frontline city of Zaporozhye is a challenge for local residents and those living both upstream and downstream.

This is reported by the correspondent of Voice of America (VOA), Eva Mironova in his report from Washington.

After Russian forces shelled the Dnieper hydroelectric plant in March, a number of special commissions visited the site to assess the damage to the structure and the local environment.

“The first is the energy element, which is completely destroyed, and I have no idea how long it will take to restore it. Specialists are working to analyze the extent of the damage, but it will take months and millions of dollars.” commented Ivan Fedorov, who works in the military administration.

The power plant was over 70 years old. Russian missiles shut down the plant and severely damaged the Zaporizhia Dam and the road that runs along the dam.

“Half of the highway has been destroyed and environmental experts are already working on a recovery plan. This won’t be easy. The dam may need to be completely closed to recover.”he commented.

Civilians like Daria, who did not give her last name, were also affected by the shelling. A rocket exploded at the base of a residential complex near the dam.

“In the beginning it was like a fire show here, everything happened so fast. I was in the bathroom, then I came out and saw the explosion. Honestly, it was terrible”says Daria, who is a resident of Zaporizhia.

Today, local residents worry that the entire dam could collapse, but experts say that is unlikely. Environmentalists are more concerned about the people who rely on the dam to provide drinking water.

“Significant damage to the hydraulic unit of the dam and a drop in the water level below 3 meters will lead to problems with the drinking water supply in the cities upstream, including part of the left bank of the city of Dnieper”, points out Maxim Soroka from the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technology.

The shutdown of the plant means that other power plants have to work harder to keep the lights on in Ukraine.

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