DISINFO: Ukrainian forces shell Kakhovska hydroelectric power plant
SUMMARY
Ukrainian forces fired 19 rockets at the Kakhovska hydroelectric power plant in the Kherson oblast.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the Ukrainian Armed Forces of hitting critical civilian infrastructure. This claim was made in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and is meant to distract from and obfuscate Russia's own actions in Ukraine.
No evidence is provided to support the claim that Ukrainian troops are firing at the Kakhovska hydroelectric power.
A Ukrainian military spokesperson has stated that the Russian forces keep intervening on the water supplies at the Kakhovska power plant. They are trying to drain the water from its reservoirs. According to the Ukrainian Army, Russian soldiers have mined the station, left only loyal people there and limited access to the station. Russia is threatening to blow up a dam at the station, which would flood vast areas down the River Dnipro, including large areas of the city of Kherson.
Russia has a history of accusing Ukraine of false flag actions it would supposedly carries out against own targets. Previously, Russian troops staged similar actions at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as they shelled it and accused Ukraine. Russia routinely claims that atrocities, which have been proven to have been committed by Russian units, were the works of Ukrainian army; Bucha, Mariupol et cetera.
Read more disinformation cases about Russian provocations during Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.