PHOTOS:  Epic Destruction of Ukrainian Dam Leads to Tragic Flooding, Evacuations - The Messenger
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A major dam in southern Ukraine collapsed Tuesday, triggering floods, endangering crops and threatening the water supply that cools a nuclear power plant.

It's not clear what caused the breach in the Kakhovka dam. Ukraine accused Russian forces of blowing up the facility, while Russian officials blamed Ukrainian military strikes.

The dam's destruction has put thousands of people at risk of flooding and has led to evacuations.

No one was had been killed in the flooding, but it reportedly killed hundreds of animals at a local zoo.

Streets are flooded in Kherson, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 7, 2023 after the Kakhovka dam was blown up. Residents of southern Ukraine, some who spent the night on rooftops, braced for a second day of swelling floodwaters on Wednesday as authorities warned that a Dnieper River dam breach would continue to unleash pent-up waters from a giant reservoir.
Streets are flooded in Kherson, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 7, 2023 after the Kakhovka dam was blown up. Residents of southern Ukraine, some who spent the night on rooftops, braced for a second day of swelling floodwaters on Wednesday as authorities warned that a Dnieper River dam breach would continue to unleash pent-up waters from a giant reservoir.AP Photo/Libkos
Ukrainian security forces transport local residents in a boat during an evacuation from a flooded area in Kherson on June 7, 2023, following damages sustained at Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam. Ukraine was evacuating thousands of people on June 7 after an attack on a major Russian-held dam unleashed a torrent of water, inundating two dozen villages and sparking fears of a humanitarian disaster.
Ukrainian security forces transport local residents in a boat during an evacuation from a flooded area in Kherson on June 7, 2023, following damages sustained at Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam. Ukraine was evacuating thousands of people on June 7 after an attack on a major Russian-held dam unleashed a torrent of water, inundating two dozen villages and sparking fears of a humanitarian disaster.ALEKSEY FILIPPOV/AFP via Getty Images
In this image taken from video released by the Ukrainian Presidential Office, water runs through a breakthrough in the Kakhovka dam in Kakhovka, Ukraine, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
Water could be seen (photo above and below) on June 6 running through a breakthrough in the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam in Kakhovka, Ukraine. Kyiv and Moscow immediately accused each other of blowing it up while locals were forced to flee rising flood waters.(Ukrainian Presidential Office via AP)
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine on Monday, June 5, 2023.
The Kakhovka dam was built during the Soviet era. It stands roughly 100 feet tall and holds back a body of water roughly the size of Utah’s Great Salt Lake.(Ukrainian Presidential Office via AP)
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine on Monday, June 5, 2023.
A satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of the Kakhovka dam before it was damaged on June 5.(Maxar Technologies via AP)
This general view shows a partially flooded area of Kherson on June 6, 2023, following damage sustained at Kakhovka hydroelectric dam.
After the dam was damaged, parts of Kherson were flooded. The major Russian-held dam in southern Ukraine unleashed a torrent of water that sent people fleeing flooding on the war's front line.OLEG TUCHYNSKY/AFP via Getty Images
A man sits on a bench outside his building outskirt of partially flood Kherson on June 6, 2023.
A man sits on a bench outside his building in a partially flooded area of Kherson.SERGIY DOLLAR/AFP via Getty Images
This general view shows a partially flooded area of Kherson on June 6, 2023, following damage sustained at Kakhovka hydroelectric dam.
The Russian-held dam in southern Ukraine was partially destroyed by "multiple strikes,"Moscow-installed authorities claimed, but it is unclear exactly what caused the damage.SERGIY DOLLAR/AFP via Getty Images
This general view shows a partially flooded area of Kherson on June 6, 2023, following damages sustained at Kakhovka hydroelectric dam.
A general view shows other partially flooded areas of Kherson on June 6, after the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam was damaged.OLEG TUCHYNSKY/AFP via Getty Images
This general view shows a partially flooded area of Kherson on June 6, 2023, following damage sustained at Kakhovka hydroelectric dam.
Russia seized control of the dam last year. The area has been plagued with fighting for much of the 15-month-long war.SERGIY DOLLAR/AFP via Getty Images
This general view shows a partially flooded area of Kherson, on June 6, 2023, following damage sustained at Kakhovka hydroelectric dam.
According to Ukrainian TV, eight villages were flooded at first, and officials feared the dam break could affect as many as 80 towns and villages in the area. OLEG TUCHYNSKY/AFP via Getty Images
(Ukrainian Presidential Office via AP)
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