Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for the destruction of the Russian-controlled dam, a human and ecological disaster that coincided with intensified efforts by Kyiv to retake territory seized by Russian forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deploying a weapon of mass destruction, but Russia says the damage was caused by Ukrainian missiles.
This war has weaponised hunger and energy, winter was weaponised too, and now the deadly force of water has been deployed.
When the critical Nova Kakhovka dam collapsed overnight the reservoir's 18 cubic kilometres of water was unleashed, and slowly but steadily it is swallowing towns.
And the tide is rising forebodingly across farmland and battlefields - mines have been seemingly detonated by the flood waters.
The rescue missions started instantly, spurred along by the sound of artillery fire.
READ MORE
- Russian Embassy shares propaganda video targeting New Zealand Defence Force
- Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has 'warm and insightful' phone call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky
- Whisper it, but Ukraine may no longer be winning
- Kremlin drone: Zelensky denies Ukraine attacked Putin or Moscow
Already traumatised people and pets were helped again to safety, plunged into a new chapter of fear.
The ecological impacts are quick to emerge - one beaver was seen walking through Kherson.
"The destruction of the Kakhovka dam today puts thousands of civilians at risk and causes severe environmental damage," said NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg.
It is strategically damaging too, the Dnipro River is a frontline. Ukraine controls one side Russia occupies the other.
Lives on both sides are now under threat and both sides blame each other.
This Russia-appointed governor is among those blaming a Ukrainian missile, the attack has cut off the water supply to Russia's prized territory of Crimea.
But President Zelensky claims it's sabotage designed to halt the Ukrainian counter-offensive, saying the damage could only have been caused by mines planted by the Russian terrorists who have been controlling the dam for over a year.
"The floodgates of suffering have been overflowing for more than a year. That must stop," said United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres.
Upstream there is an additional threat the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant relies on water from the dam to cool its reactors.
But for now, fortunately, there is no immediate nuclear risk.
Ukraine is drowning in war as it is.
