Scholz says Kakhovka dam blast "new dimension" of war

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called the blowing up of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant a "new dimension" of the Russian war against Ukraine.

He made the statement at a forum in Berlin, broadcaster WDR reports.

According to Scholz, the blowing up of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant "fits the way Putin is waging this war".

At the same time, the Chancellor avoided directly blaming Russia for the blowing up but pointed out that there were signs of Russian involvement.

Scholz added that Russia always attacks civilian objects – cities, villages, hospitals, schools, and infrastructure facilities.

"That is why it is so important that we support Ukraine – financially, but also with the supply of weapons," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed his indignation at certain Western media outlets hinting at Ukraine's possible responsibility for blowing up the Khakhovka HPP, European Pravda reports.

"Infuriating to see some media report ‘Kyiv and Moscow accusing each other’ of ruining the Kakhovka dam. It puts facts and propaganda on equal footing. Ukraine is facing a huge humanitarian and environmental crisis," Kuleba tweeted.

The minister points out that Ukraine is facing a tremendous humanitarian and environmental crisis.

"Ignoring this fact means playing Russia's "not all obvious" game," added Kuleba.

On the morning of 6 June, Ukraine’s Operational Command Pivden (South) reported that the Russian occupation forces had blown up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), with Kherson Oblast Military Administration confirming this information. Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, noted that they had started the evacuation of the local population from dangerous areas.

According to Prokudin, the water will reach a critical level in five hours.

Previously, Kuleba described the Russian destruction of the Khakhovka HPP as a horrific war crime and possibly the largest technological disaster in Europe in recent decades.

Council of Europe Secretary-General Marija Pejčinović Burić referred to the destruction of the Khakhovka HPP as criminal and reckless. European Council President Charles Michel was shocked stating that it would be discussed at the June EU summit.