U.S. has viewed wreckage of kamikaze drones Russia used in Ukraine
Washington PostDec 23, 2022
Day 240 Roundup: Conflicting Reports of Attacks on Kherson Dam; 4 Killed in Ukrainian Ferry Crossing Strike
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Image copyright: AP Photos [via NY Post]
The Facts
In widely reported comments made on Thursday, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged that Russian forces have mined the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (KHPP) in the southern Kherson region. The leader claimed, without evidence, that opposition forces are preparing a false-flag terror attack.
Ukraine's Pres. said: "Russia is consciously laying the groundwork for a large-scale disaster in Ukraine’s south. We have information that Russian terrorists have mined the dam and units of the KHPP." Explosions in the dam, which is believed to hold 18M cubic metres of water, could cause severe flooding and disrupt water supplies in Russian-occupied regions, including Crimea.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia is undoubtedly preparing to launch a false-flag attack on the KHPP in order to cover its soldiers' retreat and delay Ukrainian advances across the Dnipro river.
Pro-Russia narrative
The KHPP is strategically important to Russia — Moscow's forces would not damage it. Ukraine, on the other hand, aims to destroy the dam in order to inflict a man-made catastrophe in the recently annexed region.
