Thousands of residents of southern Ukraine were struggling to escape from flooded homes and towns on Wednesday after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam sent a torrent of water along the war zone’s southern frontline.
Ukrainian officials said about 42,000 people on both sides of the Dnipro river, which bisects government-controlled and Russian-occupied territory, were affected by the catastrophe and warned civilians to be wary of landmines that had been swept downstream.
“Be extremely careful, remember the rules of mine safety! Do not approach or touch explosive objects under any circumstances!” the country’s state emergency service said in a message shared on social media.