Kremlin says Ukraine sabotaged dam to distract from faltering offensive

"Apparently, this sabotage is also connected with the fact that, having started large-scale offensive actions two days ago, now the Ukrainian armed forces are not achieving their goals - these offensive actions are faltering." Asked about Ukrainian allegations that Russia had destroyed the dam, Peskov said: "We can strongly reject this.


Reuters | Moscow | Updated: 06-06-2023 16:14 IST | Created: 06-06-2023 15:59 IST
Kremlin says Ukraine sabotaged dam to distract from faltering offensive
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (File Image) Image Credit: ANI
  • Country:
  • Russian Federation

The Kremlin on Tuesday accused Kyiv of sabotaging the Kakhovka hydro-electric dam in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine to distract attention from a purportedly faltering counter-offensive against Russian forces.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had been briefed on the situation around the dam, which was breached in the early hours of Tuesday. "We can state unequivocally that we are talking about deliberate sabotage by the Ukrainian side," Peskov told reporters.

He said the destruction of the dam was intended to deprive Russian-controlled Crimea of the fresh water it receives from the reservoir via the North Crimean Canal, and to distract attention from the counter-offensive. "Apparently, this sabotage is also connected with the fact that, having started large-scale offensive actions two days ago, now the Ukrainian armed forces are not achieving their goals - these offensive actions are faltering."

Asked about Ukrainian allegations that Russia had destroyed the dam, Peskov said: "We can strongly reject this. We officially declare that here we are definitely talking about deliberate sabotage from the Ukrainian side." Peskov said the sabotage could "potentially have very serious consequences for several tens of thousands of residents of the region".

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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