No casualties so far after Russia's destruction of Kakhovka HPP - Shmyhal

He said this in a post on Telegram after a meeting of the State Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergency Situations, according to Ukrinform.

"We held a meeting of the State Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergency Situations regarding the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP by the Russians. I heard operational information from the [Kherson] regional military administration, Ukrhydroenergo and the ministries. Currently, there are no casualties among the population due to rising water levels," Shmyhal said.

According to him, the task now is to organize the evacuation and accommodation of people in safe areas.

"The first trains from Kherson leave at 13:00," Shmyhal said.

He said that the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is currently under control and emphasized the importance of preventing the worst-case scenario.

Commenting on the provision of the population with drinking water, Shmyhal noted that proposals had already been developed and project decisions had been prepared. "We are preparing the allocation of funds in order to start the implementation of projects as soon as possible," Shmyhal said.

He also noted that the Environment Ministry should soon prepare relevant data on the assessment of environmental consequences.

"Everyone has received tasks and instructions on each of these points. Decisions must be worked out quickly and urgently. Members of the state commission receive regular updates on the situation," he concluded.

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

Ukrainian law enforcement officers have started an investigation on charges of ecocide after the occupiers blew up the Kakhovka HPP.

Ukrhydroenergo reported that the Kakhovka HPP had been completely destroyed and could not be restored.