[Roosta]

Originally Posted by WonderMomma ↗

Russians are draining water from the Kakhovka Sea from the Kakhovskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant.

Ramifications of this are ?

[WonderMomma]

Originally Posted by Roosta ↗

Ramifications of this are ?

I'm not sure yet, I haven't had time to research it yet. apologies. I will do so and get back to you

[WhiskeyOutpost]

Originally Posted by Roosta ↗

Ramifications of this are ?

As I understand it:
A lower water level of the Dnipro river east of the HPP dam, which is where the Energodar nuclear plant is, needs a steady stream of water to cool the reactors. The Russians are creating crisis conditions to use as leverage because they're losing.

This will also make the width of the Dnipro river west of the dam higher and hence wider, making it harder to move Ukrainian troops into the rest of Kherson oblast for offensive operations into Crimea.

[kellyhound]

A Feb. 7 statement on Telegram from the local government said that if the level fell below 13.2 meters, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant's cooling system, which relies on water from the reservoir, would be in peril. The statement said that Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraine's hydro electric company, believes the discharge is being done deliberately by the Russians.

The statement from the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration also warned that several cities that rely on the reservoir, including Enerhodar, Melitopol and Berdyansk may face water shortages, though it noted that all three are currently under Russian occupation, so little is known about their water supply.

Unclear motivations
Helms believes the deliberate discharge is another way for Russia to hurt Ukraine. Now that Crimea's reservoirs are full, he says, this could be a way for Russia to hamper Ukraine's economy, which depends heavily on agricultural exports.

"It's as good as knocking out the power grid," he says.

But Kuns is less certain of Russia's intent. He points out that most of the affected agricultural areas are in Russian-held parts of Ukraine. "It just seems strange that they'd be doing a scorched-earth on territory that they claim publicly that they want to keep," he says.

The canal that provided water from mainland Ukraine to Crimea, which Ukraine blocked after Russia annexed the peninsula in 2014, is now reopened and flowing, in this photo from June of 2022.

The canal that provided water from mainland Ukraine to Crimea, which Ukraine blocked after Russia annexed the peninsula in 2014, is now reopened and flowing, in this photo from June 2022.
In its statement, the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration suggested that the purpose of draining the reservoir may be in part to flood the area south of the dam, in an effort to keep Ukrainian Forces from crossing the Dnipro River. Officials stated that Ukrhydroenergo believed Russian occupiers "opened the station's locks fearing an advance of Ukrainian soldiers."

For now, there's little to be done except watch the water as it drains away. "I don't know what the purpose of it is," says Kuns. "But it is very worrying."

been over a month now so i wonder what the situation now is.

[ljubodrag]

Originally Posted by SDI ↗

Doesn't UKR still control the E40 highway and a good chunk of land west of the town? Until the mud season ends, there are no more movements to expect from both sides. How can it be the last dirt road?

Situation as at 5:00 p.m. on March 12, 2023.

[ljubodrag]

7:00 p.m.

[ljubodrag]

The Russian Aerospace Forces have begun using the latest precision-guided munition "Grom/Thunder" in Ukraine.

"Grom" is a high-precision gliding munition developed by the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation.

Maximum launch height is more than 10 km, from this height the ammunition flies to the maximum distance.

It was tested at the end of 2018, but was not seen outside the ranges and exhibitions.

Its use can significantly increase the firepower of Russian Aerospace Forces aviation against enemy ground targets.

[WonderMomma]

Report from Magyar on 12 March, English subs.

[Roosta]

Kellyhounds Post: In answer to my ?
Quote:
A Feb. 7 statement on Telegram from the local government said that if the level fell below 13.2 meters, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant's cooling system, which relies on water from the reservoir, would be in peril. The statement said that Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraine's hydro electric company, believes the discharge is being done deliberately by the Russians.

The statement from the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration also warned that several cities that rely on the reservoir, including Enerhodar, Melitopol and Berdyansk may face water shortages, though it noted that all three are currently under Russian occupation, so little is known about their water supply.

Unclear motivations
Helms believes the deliberate discharge is another way for Russia to hurt Ukraine. Now that Crimea's reservoirs are full, he says, this could be a way for Russia to hamper Ukraine's economy, which depends heavily on agricultural exports.

"It's as good as knocking out the power grid," he says.

But Kuns is less certain of Russia's intent. He points out that most of the affected agricultural areas are in Russian-held parts of Ukraine. "It just seems strange that they'd be doing a scorched-earth on territory that they claim publicly that they want to keep," he says.

The canal that provided water from mainland Ukraine to Crimea, which Ukraine blocked after Russia annexed the peninsula in 2014, is now reopened and flowing, in this photo from June of 2022.

The canal that provided water from mainland Ukraine to Crimea, which Ukraine blocked after Russia annexed the peninsula in 2014, is now reopened and flowing, in this photo from June 2022.
In its statement, the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration suggested that the purpose of draining the reservoir may be in part to flood the area south of the dam, in an effort to keep Ukrainian Forces from crossing the Dnipro River. Officials stated that Ukrhydroenergo believed Russian occupiers "opened the station's locks fearing an advance of Ukrainian soldiers."

For now, there's little to be done except watch the water as it drains away. "I don't know what the purpose of it is," says Kuns. "But it is very worrying."

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

been over a month now so i wonder what the situation now is.

Yes, very interesting as it brings in a new element into the equation that's for sure.

[WonderMomma]

"Luxembourg has handed over 14 armored ambulances to Ukraine - the Embassy of Ukraine in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The vehicles provide protection from small arms fire and artillery shell fragments.

They will be sent to the frontline in the near future."