Ukrainian president accuses Russian forces of shooting at rescuers in flooded areas
During an exclusive interview with a German outlet, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian forces of shooting at Ukrainian rescuers who are trying to reach flooded areas in the Kherson region that is under Russian control.
“People, animals have died. From the roofs of the flooded houses, people see drowned people floating by. You can see that on the other side. It is very difficult to get people out of the occupied part of Kherson region,” Zelensky told prominent German outlet, Bild, in an exclusive interview published Wednesday.
On Wednesday, a volunteer taking part in the rescue efforts in Kherson region, which was flooded following the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam, told CNN volunteers face Russian shelling on nearly every sortie.
“Of course, it is extremely dangerous,” said Roman Skabdrakov from the Kaiman Volunteer Group.
More background: Nova Kakhovka, a major dam and hydroelectric power plant in the Russian-occupied southern Kherson region, suffered a collapse early Tuesday, prompting evacuations for thousands of people.
Russia and Ukraine continue to blame each other for the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam and hydro-electric power plant.
