A graveyard of fish, thousands of goldfish are dying in the few centimeters of water that remain. Others are totally inert. Ihe economic and ecological consequences are heavyit could cost 10 million in damages to the fishing industry. Upstream of the dam, the water dries up, while downstream, the water spills out and inwave the agricultural region.
A mined area
The current carries away the houses and carries all kinds of waste and toxic products according to the Ukrainian authorities. “There is a smell of engine oil, because at least 150 tons ofdam oilsnow have in the river. Maybe 300 tons more soon“asserts Oleksiy Goncharenko.
The security risk is also important. Mine explosions have occurred, and the situation could continue over time. The Russians had left thousands of mines behind as they retreated. “These mines are being dispersed. They are a few tens of grams for some. They can explode, even in water”notes Xavier Tytelmanmilitary expert.