Russia's Shoigu: Ukraine 'blew up' Kakhovka dam in order to redeploy units

A Russian Defence Ministry statement signed by Shoigu said the dam breach and resultant flooding were designed to prevent Russia from attacking near Kherson, while allowing Ukraine to "transfer units and equipment from the Kherson front to the area of offensive operations". Shoigu did not provide evidence to back up the claim.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu accused Ukraine on Tuesday of blowing up the huge Kakhovka dam as part of a plan to redeploy units from the nearby Kherson region for operations against Russian forces. A Russian Defence Ministry statement signed by Shoigu said the dam breach and resultant flooding were designed to prevent Russia from attacking near Kherson, while allowing Ukraine to "transfer units and equipment from the Kherson front to the area of offensive operations".

Shoigu did not provide evidence to back up the claim. Ukraine and its Western allies say it was Russia that blew up the dam in the early hours of Tuesday.