Zelensky holds security council meeting to respond to Russia's destruction of Nova Kakhovka dam

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held an emergency meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to agree on a set of international and security measures following the destruction of the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant by Russian forces.

The head of state said this in a post on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"I held an urgent meeting of the National Security and Defense Council. Overnight at 02:50, Russian terrorists carried out an internal detonation of the structures of the Kakhovka HPP [hydroelectric power plant]. About 80 settlements are in the flooding zone," Zelensky said.

He added that an order had been given to carry out evacuation from risk areas and to provide drinking water to all cities and villages that were supplied with water from the Kakhovka Reservoir.

"We are doing everything to save people. All services, military, government, the [President's] Office are involved," Zelensky said.

According to him, at the NSDC meeting, a set of international and security measures was agreed upon to hold Russia accountable for this terrorist attack.

Russian troops blew up the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant in the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 6. The population is being evacuated from villages and cities that are at risk of flooding.