UPDATE - Ukraine dam attack 'most significant damage to critical infrastructure' since beginning of war: Red Cross

UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES FROM RED CROSS, MINOR EDITS

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine represents some of the worst damage done to key infrastructure since the beginning of the Russian war over 15 months ago, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday.

"The destruction of Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine constitutes some of the most significant damage to critical infrastructure since February 2022," the ICRC said on Twitter.

Stressing that flooding has already affected thousands of people on both banks of the Dnipro River, putting lives in danger, the ICRC said: "Many will be left without homes and in dire humanitarian need. With local authorities and Red Cross partners, we are assessing how to assist affected communities."

It is "essential" to remember that dams have special protection under international humanitarian law as they contain "dangerous forces" which, if released, can lead to severe suffering among the civilian population, it said.

Explosions at the Kakhovka hydropower plant caused floodwaters earlier Tuesday in the southern parts of the country near Kherson.

Both Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of destroying the dam.