Ukrainian forces outline response plan amid repeated Russian attacks on Pechenihy dam
Illustrative photo: Ukrainian forces outline response plan for Pechenihy Reservoir dam (Getty Images)
The Pechenihy Reservoir dam in the Kharkiv region has faced continuous Russian attacks, reports the 16th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian forces are targeting the strategic facility using Shahed drones, guided aerial bombs, various missiles, and strike drones, including Molniya and FPV drones.
"In just the past few days, there have been several attempts to hit this section. The day before yesterday, a Russian missile struck a nearby cottage area, destroying more than ten houses," the statement said.
The military notes that they anticipated these risks and prepared response plans for potential critical damage to the dam. Alternative transport routes have been developed and were previously used, ensuring uninterrupted logistics.
Essential material and technical resources have been stockpiled, so a temporary loss of access across the dam would not seriously disrupt combat operations.
The Defense Forces are prepared to promptly restore the crossing if necessary, with engineering units and specialized equipment ready to operate according to established protocols.
The Pechenihy Reservoir dam is a key facility for water supply and safety for dozens of settlements in the Kharkiv region.
"Attempts to destroy the dam have no military justification. Strikes on it constitute indiscriminate attacks on a civilian object, which is explicitly prohibited under Article 52 of Additional Protocol I," the statement said.
Background
On December 7, the Russian army struck the Pechenihy Reservoir dam in the Kharkiv region. As a result, traffic across the dam in the Pechenihy community has been temporarily halted.
The reservoir extends from Pechenihy to the Starytsia River, which flows through the Chuhuiv and Vovchansk districts of the Kharkiv region.
