The probable reason for the destruction of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station is an undermining from the inside. The shelling from the outside, which Russia claims, could hardly have caused such consequences.
The New York Times interviewed engineering and munitions experts. Those are inclined to the version of the explosion from the inside. The version about the destruction of the dam due to strong water flows does not stand up to criticism, since there are no characteristic destructions of the earthen part of the dam on any of the banks.
The explosion of the Kakhovka dam was deliberately committed from the inside. Since even a direct hit from the outside would not have entailed such consequences and destruction, says explosives expert Nick Glumak.
First, the Kakhovka dam was breached in the middle, next to a power plant adjacent to the Russian-held coast. Both ends of the dam seemed intact, but as the day progressed, the dam collapsed more and more.
The publication writes that an internal explosion is more likely, since it caused the destruction of the dam, a massive reinforced concrete structure, the construction of which was completed in 1956. An explosion in an enclosed space, with all of its energy directed towards the structure around it, will do the most damage. An external explosion of a bomb or rocket affected the dam with only a small part of its force.
University of Maryland engineering professor Gregory Becher, who has studied dam failure, called the case of the Kakhovka HPP suspicious.
He explained that some dams are being destroyed due to strong water flows “overflowing” them. However, in this case, the destruction begins from the earthen part of the dam, from both banks. But photos and videos show that the Kakhovskaya dam was broken through first in the middle.
The Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station was blown up on instructions from the Kremlin from Putin’s office, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Alexei Danilov is sure.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.