Documenting the Impact of the Kakhovka Dam Explosion on Southern Ukraine

Wed, 06 May 2026 21:18:00 +0200

Photographer Yana Kononova undertook a journey to southern Ukraine to document the profound changes caused by the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station on June 6, 2023. Her work captures both the ecological and human consequences of the disaster. The explosion caused widespread flooding, disrupted everyday life, and revealed hidden dangers such as mines carried by floodwaters. Kononova's initial focus on deserted landscapes shifted after discovering images of people exploring the dried riverbed, reflecting the tension between human curiosity and environmental vulnerability. She documented the evacuation of locals, abandoned animals, and the stark juxtaposition of war and daily life. Her travels included Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Nikopol, where she captured both the industrial devastation and the natural landscapes of the Dnipro River, including Khortytsia Island. Kononova highlighted the contrast between the ordinary moments of leisure on the exposed shoreline and the