Russia declares state of emergency at Belgorod reservoir
Damage to the reservoir dam (Photo: Russian media)
The authorities in Belgorod have declared a state of emergency following attacks by Ukrainian forces on the reservoir dam, according to Russian media reports.
On October 27, a state of emergency was declared in Belgorod after the Armed Forces of Ukraine reportedly struck the local reservoir dam twice.
Russian media cite the decision of the Federal Water Resources Agency Tsentrregionvodkhoz.
According to the agency, the strikes damaged the bottom water outlet and both sluice gates, which are responsible for regulating the water level.
This has already caused the water level to drop by one meter.
Emergency repair work is underway at the dam, the agency reported. In particular, workers have begun filling in the channel to prevent the reservoir from drying up and to avoid flooding in downstream areas.
What is known about the attack on the reservoir
During the night of Saturday, October 25, Russian media and local Telegram channels began reporting that Ukrainian forces had attacked the Belgorod reservoir dam with HIMARS rockets.
According to those reports, the strike damaged several buildings housing technical equipment, the lifting mechanisms of one of the discharge gates, and the crest of the dam.
The following day, media outlets reported that on the night of October 26, the Belgorod dam was attacked by drones, resulting in further damage to the structure and a sharp rise in the water level of the Siverskyi Donets River.
By morning, the water level had dropped by more than a meter.
Throughout the day, the attacks reportedly continued.
Later, local authorities confirmed flooding in 10 areas of the Shebekino district and announced an evacuation of residents.
Preliminary reports suggested that the strike on the dam may have effectively cut off part of the Russian troops from supply routes and crossings, complicating their combat operations in the area.
On the evening of October 26, the Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, confirmed that the birds of the 1st Separate UAV Center (formerly the 14th UAV Regiment) carried out a strike on the Belgorod reservoir dam, which, as a result, cracked.
Consequences of the strikes on the Belgorod reservoir dam
On the evening of October 26, satellite images showing the aftermath of Ukrainian strikes on the Belgorod reservoir dam appeared online.
In particular, one satellite photo shows a breach in the dam.
Another image reveals the extent of flooding in the areas downstream of the Belgorod reservoir.
The photo shows that large adjacent territories are already submerged, with water continuing to spread and gradually flooding the surrounding areas.
The images can be seen in the RBC-Ukraine report.
