The strike on the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station (HPP) is connected with the counter-offensive of Ukraine, said Alexei Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs. So, in a conversation with Lenta.ru, he reacted to the partial destruction of an energy facility as a result of shelling.

“This is obviously an element related to the counteroffensive. I don't think we need it. For us, this is categorically unprofitable, we suffer partial losses because of this, but we do not destroy the infrastructure, we try not to destroy it. We protect it, knowing full well that peaceful people will continue to use it. What is connected with the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station, what is connected with the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP), we are doing everything to ensure that the infrastructure and such facilities are intact and work for civilians,” the deputy said.

The partial destruction of the Kakhovskaya HPP became known on the morning of June 6. According to the mayor of Novaya Kakhovka, Vladimir Leontiev, the night strikes led to the destruction of the valves. Because of this, water began to uncontrollably be discharged downstream. He called the incident a terrorist attack.

The mayor added that as a result of the incident, about 300 houses in Korsunk and Dnepryan below Novaya Kakhovka were in the zone of possible flooding after a breakthrough. Local authorities also urged residents to prepare for evacuation.

According to TASS in emergency services, half of the spans of the power plant have already been destroyed, the collapse continues.

New Kakhovka came under Russian control at the very beginning of hostilities - on February 24, 2022.