Ukraine has begun emergency evacuations of residents in parts of the southern Kherson region after claiming that a major dam, the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, had been "blown up" by Russian forces Tuesday.
The South command of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on its Facebook page that the facility had been "blown up" by Russian forces and that "the scale of the destruction, the speed and volume of water, and the probable areas of flooding are being clarified."
Ukrainian officials warned of potentially devastating flooding in the region and called on residents in 11 areas to leave immediately.
Russia denied damaging the dam, saying instead that Ukraine had undermined the structure.
Leontiev said there was still no need to evacuate the inhabitants of Nova Kakhovka, adding that "we are preparing for the worst consequences, but we hope that they will not happen."
Persons:
Vladimir Leontiev, Leontiev
Organizations:
Russian, Ukraine's Armed Forces, CNBC, NBC News
Locations:
Ukraine, Kherson, Russia, Russian, Nova Kakhovka, Nova