Satellite images show colossal damage from Ukraine's destroyed Kakhovka dam

As rescue efforts are underway, the true scope of the damage is still unclear.
 By 
Teodosia Dobriyanova
 on 
Satellite images show a piece of land before and after the flood caused by the dam's collapse.
Watch Next

From quick hits to deep dives, this Mashable series cuts through the noise to explain what on Earth is going on and what you should know about it.


Before and after satellite footage taken by Maxar Technologies shows the extent of flooding after an explosion at a dam in the currently Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast in southern Ukraine.

Before the explosion, the 30-meter-high and two-kilometer-long dam retained the Kakhovka reservoir, holding 18.2 cubic kilometers of water. Now, at least 230 square miles of surrounding land have been flooded, sweeping hundreds of settlements, destroying homes and ecosystems, and displacing thousands of people.

While investigations are still underway Ukraine has called for a recognition of the dam’s destruction as an act of ecocide.

Picture of Teodosia
Teodosia Dobriyanova
Video Producer

Teodosia is a video producer at Mashable UK, focussing on stories about climate resilience, urban development, and social good.


More from Mashable Now

Visible from space, a mega iceberg could be on a collision course
A collage shows penguins, seals, a satellite image and a a drone photo of the A23a iceberg.

How a digital tool brought Notre-Dame back to life in record time
Against a blue grid background,  3D digital twin of Notre-Dame is placed next to an image of the completed building

A wounded sea turtle swims again thanks to 3D printed harness
Photograph shows Charlotte the sea turtle swimming under water after she's been fit with the 3D-printed harness

F1 racer takes life-size Lego car for a spin
Two McLaren P1s appear to be racing each other – the Lego-made version on the front and the original at the back. Caption reads: "Lego Racer"

Latest Videos

Stephen Colbert reacts to the Artemis II moon mission
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, gesturing.


'The Daily Show' reacts to judge halting Trump's White House ballroom
Desi Lydic presents "The Daily Show" beside an image of Donald Trump.


A24's 'Mother Mary' trailer is worth it for the FKA twigs track
Anne Hathway is dressed in a red pop star outfit with religious overtones in a film still from "Mother Mary."

Jon Stewart has a brutal reaction to Trump waffling about pens
A man in a suit sitting behind a talk show desk looks angry. In the top left is an image of the president holding up a pen.

Stephen Colbert gleefully recaps the best signs at the 'No Kings' protest
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, smiling. The caption at the bottom reads, "I like that one."

Riz Ahmed is troublingly intense in new 'SNL UK' promo
A close-up of a man grinning in a slightly creepy way.


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!