Pechenihy reservoir dam road temporarily closed to traffic after Russian attack

The road across the dam of the Pechenihy reservoir in Kharkiv Oblast, which was attacked by Russian forces on 14 April, has been temporarily closed to traffic.

Source: Petro Tokar, Head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kharkiv Oblast, speaking on air for Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, as cited by Ukrinform

Quote: "It has been established at the scene that the strikes hit an area adjacent to the hydraulic structure, causing partial damage to the road surface. Traffic across the hydraulic structure is currently temporarily suspended – we are only allowing special-purpose vehicles through. The hydraulic structure needs to be inspected by the relevant experts."

Details: People are now having to travel via alternative routes, including those wishing to reach the Velykoburlutska hromada in the Kupiansk district [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.].

Quote: "Before the Russian attacks, this road significantly shortened the route to Velykoburlutska hromada. Since the strikes, logistics routes have changed somewhat and people are taking detours."

More details: Tokar noted that this is not the first time Russia has attacked the dam – it has already done so twice this year before April and five times during the previous year, probably with the aim of causing an uncontrolled discharge of water.

He said bomb disposal experts have examined the debris and determined that the Russians used a guided glide bomb, the UMPB-5, in the April attack.

Background:

• On 14 April, Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration reported that Russian forces had dropped six guided aerial bombs on the dam in Kharkiv Oblast – a critical infrastructure facility located on one of the region's largest reservoirs.
• The 16th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine noted that Russian forces had failed to hit the dam directly: four of the bombs struck the ground near the hydraulic structures and two landed in the water.

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