Russia’s explosion of a huge Ukrainian dam had surprising effects

Russia’s explosion of a huge Ukrainian dam had surprising effects

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Just over a year ago Russia destroyed the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine. Flooding devastated dozens of towns and villages. We recently assessed the long-term consequences of the disaster. Our interactive article examines not only the social, economic and environmental damage caused by the blast, but also the public debate in Ukraine about how to build back from it. The discussion gives a preview of the difficult questions that will arise about the country’s reconstruction once the war ends. Those same quandaries were the subject of an international conference in Berlin this week at which Ukraine and its Western allies discussed how to raise money for the country’s recovery.

For now, though, the fighting still rages. Below you can find a selection from our coverage, including the latest analysis from the battlefield and explainers on the technology that is shaping warfare, both in Ukraine and beyond. For regular updates on such topics, subscribers to The Economist can sign up to “The War Room”, our weekly newsletter on international security.

Oliver Jones, News editor

Editor’s picks

Russia’s explosion of a huge Ukrainian dam had surprising effects

A year after the blast and flood, Ukrainians disagree over whether to rebuild Kakhovka


In Crimea, Ukraine is beating Russia

The peninsula is becoming a death trap for the Kremlin’s forces


Politics overshadows a conference to raise money for Ukraine

Not to mention the continued fighting


Special report: Battlefield lessons

The war shows how technology is changing the battlefield. But mass still counts, argues Shashank Joshi


Many Ukrainian drones have been disabled by Russian jamming

Their latest models navigate by sight alone


The growing role of fighting robots on the ground in Ukraine

Drones already fill the skies. Now uncrewed vehicles are heading to the front lines


Might Russia run out of big guns?

Its armed forces may be out-shelling the Ukrainians—but they are wearing out their artillery


What are the Russian “turtle tanks” seen in Ukraine?

Wrapping vehicles in corrugated metal might protect them from drone attacks


“Monkeys with a grenade”: inside the nuclear-power station on Ukraine’s front line

Former employees say the plant is being dangerously mismanaged by the Russians

Asif Amin Farooqi

Chairman / Former President of Executive Committee in the Pakistan Association of the Deaf

1mo

Last Eid Ul Adha Mubarak! Regards, Mr. Asif Amin Farooqi, Chairman-Pakistan Association of the Deaf https://www.facebook.com/share/p/D38qh68MPzceXa43/?mibextid=xfxF2i

Christopher Smith

F135 Power Plant Engineer at Pratt & Whitney

1mo

I had thought the damn an intagrel part of the NPP cooling system. How can they assure adequate cooling of the NPP when it returns to full power after occupation is over?

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Timothy Asiedu

Managing Director (Information Technology Consultant) & at TIM Technology Services Ltd and an Author.

1mo

Thank you for the update.

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Andrew Lucchese

Master Mariner Marine Surveyor Navigator

1mo

Dear Economist, please remind us whom shot the missiles at the dam? You say "Russia exploded the dam." Is that a full accounting of the facts? Your readers aren't children. They come to The Economist for news and analysis. Start your "news" by reviewing where the missiles came from and who fired them. Russian separatists DID shoot down MH17, but it was Ukrainians that fired on the dam, that was in Russian hands at the time. Don't let your bias, or your desire to paint one side as evil, prevent good, honest, accurate reporting.

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