Ukrainians Long Prepared For Russian Kharkiv Dam Attack, Impact Minimal

In another one of its vengeance attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets, Russia struck an important dam in the Kharkiv region. But the difference between this and the Russian attack on the Dnipro River Khakova Dam attack two years ago is that the Ukrainians expected it, were prepared and expect the impact to be minimal. 

Alternatives routes and water supply plans were in place and engineering repair materials had been prepositioned. JL

Decimus reports in Daily Kos:

When December 7, 2025, brought news that the Russians had once again gone after a large reservoir dam, this time the Pechenihy dam for the second largest Ukrainian city … Kharkiv,  the Ukrainians were prepared. This will not have a critical impact on the front line. The Ukrainian military had long prepared for possible damage, developing alternative routes and accumulating necessary supplies. the temporary probable loss of the ability to move across the dam will not have a critical impact on the conduct of hostilities. Ukrainian Defense Forces are restoring the crossing. Engineering tools and specialists are already working

The early morning hours of June 6, 2023 brought to Ukraine and the rest of the world the shocking news that Russian forces had blown up the Kakhovak Dam holding back the great Dnipro river reservoir.  The damage and horror was immediate … fast-moving massive flooding, tremendous loss of human lives and property, destruction of flora and fauna as well as wide-spread ecological disaster in and around the major city of Kherson and all the way down stream to the Black Sea delta … an all-around ecological and humanitarian catastrophe.

Caught unawares, the Ukrainians nevertheless rallied and sallied forth to remedy the Kakhovka dam disaster as best as could be done under the circumstances.  A hard lesson learned. They will prepare themselves for the future accordingly ... well-aware that the commission of such atrocities is never a one-off thing with the Russians.

And so it is that today, December 7, 2025, brought news that the Russians have once again gone after a large reservoir dam, this time the Pechenihy dam for the second largest Ukrainian city … Kharkiv.  But the Ukrainians were prepared:

Russian attack on Pechenihy dam will not have critical impact on front - AFU

On December 7, Russian troops struck the Pechenihy dam in the Kharkiv region, but this will not have a critical impact on the front line. The Ukrainian military had long prepared for possible damage, developing alternative routes and accumulating necessary supplies.

As the military noted, the Pechenihy dam has long been the target of systemic Russian attacks. The enemy tried to hit it with Iranian "Shaheds", KAB aerial bombs, various types of missiles, "Molniyas" and FPV drones.

The Ukrainian side has long been aware of the potential risks and is ready for the dam to suffer critical damage. Appropriate response plans have been developed in advance. Alternative routes have been developed in case of dam damage. They were actively used before, and now they fully allow for the necessary logistics.

In addition, Ukrainian units have accumulated the necessary reserves of material and technical means. Therefore, the temporary probable loss of the ability to move across the dam will not have a critical impact on the conduct of hostilities.

In addition, if necessary, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are ready to restore the crossing in the shortest possible time.(emphasis mine) For this, there are special engineering tools and specialists who are already working according to established schemes, the corps added.

unn.ua/...

More here:

Ukraine braces for 'critical damage' after Russian strike on Kharkiv Oblast dam threatens water supply

The Ukrainian military said it was prepared for the dam to be "critically damaged" and was ready to implement emergency response plans.

"The Ukrainian side has long been aware of the potential risks and is ready for the dam to be critically damaged. Appropriate response plans were developed in advance," Ukraine's 16th Army Corps said.

kyivindependent.com/...

 

And here:

Ukrainian forces: "We are prepared for Russian attacks on Pechenihy dam in Kharkiv Oblast"

Ukraine's 16th Army Corps has stated that Ukraine is prepared for the possibility that a Russian attack could critically damage the dam at the Pechenihy Reservoir in Kharkiv Oblast and has drawn up contingency plans.

www.pravda.com.ua/...

Additionally, Ukraine had already created a plan to effectively detour traffic ahead of time.  It was quickly published to notify the public:

As a result of the aggressor country russia's attack on the dam of the Pechenihy Reservoir, traffic on two highways has been temporarily closed: T-21-11 Chuhuiv - Pechenyhy - Velykyi Burluk near the village of Pechenihy and T-21-04 Kharkiv - Vovchansk - Chuhunivka checkpoint near the village of Staryi Saltiv.

The Infrastructure Restoration and Development Service in the Kharkiv Region has reported this.

"The restrictions were introduced due to hostile shelling, which led to dangerous damage to road infrastructure and the impossibility of safe travel. Specialists are working at the site, inspections and priority restoration measures are underway," the statement said.
A detour route has been organized to ensure traffic: Chuhuiv - Korobochkyne - Lebiazhe - Prymorske - Khotomlia - Vovchansk.

ukranews.com/...

IMPORTANCE OF THE RESERVOIR AND DAM:

Russia Strikes Key Pechenihy Dam, Forcing Sudden Closure in Kharkiv Region

The Pechenihy Reservoir is one of the region’s key hydro-engineering sites. It spans 86.2 square kilometers (33.3 sq. miles), stretches 65 kilometers (40 miles) in length, and varies in width from 300 to 3,000 meters (984 to 9,842 feet). Its maximum depth ranges from 4.5 to 20 meters (15 to 66 feet), and its catchment basin covers 8,400 square kilometers (3,243 sq. miles).

The dam is located near the settlement of Pechenihy, roughly 60 kilometers (37 miles) east of Kharkiv. The reservoir extends toward the Starytsia River, flowing through the Chuhuiv and Vovchansk districts. The area is surrounded by pine forests and includes numerous riverside communities such as Verkhnii and Staryi Saltiv, Prymorske, Bereznyky, Rubizhne, Martova, Metalivka, Khotomlia, Buhaivka, and Molodova.

www.kyivpost.com/...