Russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka Reservoir in 2023, causing floods and leaving thousands homeless. The artificial lake supplied water to multiple regions in Ukraine. A year later, the Kyiv Post visits the affected villages.
The villages of Hrushivka and Marianske on the reservoir’s shore were once popular for fishing. However, the water vanished after the dam’s destruction. Residents like Petro Nyrka now struggle to collect rainwater for survival.
Volodymyr Iholnykov, a farmer, faces bankruptcy as his crops fail without the reservoir’s water. The community struggles to adapt, with Ukrainian officials exploring irrigation alternatives.
Despite the challenges, local heroes like Nyrka remain optimistic. They find ways to grow crops that require less water. Ukrainian resilience shines through as they navigate the aftermath of the reservoir’s destruction.