In 2024, Truth Hounds (TH) and Project Expedite Justice (PEJ) released a comprehensive study on the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) and the causes, and consequences of the dam explosion. The Kakhovka Dam and Reservoir were critical to southern Ukraine for power generation, water supply, and agricultural irrigation. They played a key role in supporting the region’s economy, agricultural sector, and energy stability. The destruction of the dam caused an environmental disaster, widespread flooding, and a water supply crisis.
Our advocacy campaign, organized together with PEJ and the Ukrainian Association of South Africa (UAZA), aims to strengthen ties with civil society, the academic and journalistic communities, politicians, government officials, and diplomats
While conducting the advocacy campaign in South Africa in March, 2025, TH, together with PEJ, presented this study on the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam to local communities.
The Kakhovka Dam held 18 km³ of water, equivalent to 3.4 Gariep Dams, the largest reservoir in SA, or 7 Vaal Dams, the second largest reservoir in SA.
On June 9, 2023, the destruction of the dam caused flooding over 600 km² of land — equivalent to 36.5% of Johannesburg’s area, 2.5 times the size of Bloemfontein, and 139% of Gqeberha’s area.
The water released after the dam broke flooded an area equivalent to 114 Carlton Centre buildings in Johannesburg or 1,431 Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art buildings in Cape Town.
The information is based on the study by TH and PEJ “Study of the Destruction of the Kakhovka Dam and Its Impacts on Ecosystems, Agrarians, Other Civilians, and International Justice”.
