The Kakhovka dam controls water supply to towns throughout southern Ukraine, including Crimea and other territory illegally occupied by Russia. Thousands were being evacuated.

A gaping hole punched in Ukraine's Nova Kakhovka Dam that unleashed a wall of floodwater risks lowering the water level of the canal which has traditionally met most of Crimea's water needs, its top Russian-backed official warned on Tuesday.

Ukraine blamed Russia for blowing up a giant dam and unleashing millions of gallons of floodwater across its south, complicating fierce fighting as Kyiv’s forces intensify their counteroffensive to oust Moscow’s troops from occupied territory.

Ukraine said Russian forces have blown up a giant dam in the country’s south, unleashing a torrent of floodwater that threatens residents and complicates the battlefield separating their two armies along the Dnipro river.

The breach of the Kakhovka dam will upend agriculture, reshape habitats and could unleash a flood of pollution across parts of southern Ukraine, experts said.

A major dam collapsed in southern Ukraine, causing flooding and prompting evacuations. Both Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for the damage.