The dam attack in Ukraine is a ruthless act of destruction – and shows just how desperate Putin is

Destroying the dam may make strategic sense to Moscow – to block Ukrainian troop movements – but it comes at an appalling cost, writes Kim Sengupta

The Nova Kakhovka dam after it was breached (Reuters)

The blowing up of the Nova Kakhovka dam is one of the most spectacular acts of destruction in the war so far. One that will have an impact on the unfolding Ukrainian military offensive, as well as inflicting terrible civilian suffering and environmental damage.

Each side has blamed the other for the blasts. But there is no reason for the Ukrainians to flood the city of Kherson, which they have retaken from the Russians, and make it difficult for operations taking place in the southern flank.

For Moscow it may make strategic sense – albeit with appalling collateral damage – to waterlog the ground where Ukrainian forces were planning an armoured thrust. It has carried out such acts in Ukraine in the past; in 1941, the Dnipro hydroelectric plant was blown up to slow down rapidly advancing German forces.