The blast in the Zaporizhzhia region of southern Ukraine killed a cafe owner who was registered to run in elections seen as an attempt to legitimize Moscow’s illegal annexation of the area.

The Kakhovka dam controls water supply to towns throughout southern Ukraine, including Crimea and other territory illegally occupied by Russia. Thousands were being evacuated.

A dam in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine has been "blown up", with both sides in the war blaming each other. Elsewhere, a feud between the Wagner Group of mercenaries and the Russian military has reportedly turned violent.

Retired U.S. General Kevin Ryan has been outspoken in his warnings about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. He spoke to RFE/RL’s Georgian Service about the effects of the Nova Kakhovka dam’s destruction,

Ukraine blamed Russia for blowing up a giant dam and unleashing millions of gallons of floodwater across its south, complicating fierce fighting as Kyiv’s forces intensify their counteroffensive to oust Moscow’s troops from occupied territory.