Camilla Jessen
Ukraine cuts traffic after missile hits Pecheneg Dam.
Ukraine has temporarily lost an important road used to supply troops in the Kharkiv region after Russian forces hit the Pecheneg reservoir dam with a missile. The strike forced officials to close the route.
Local officials say no one was hurt, but the hit came during a busy period of traffic.
Pecheneg mayor Oleksandr Gusarov told Suspilne that the attack stopped all cars from crossing the dam as experts inspect the site. The road over the reservoir is a major supply line for troops near Vovchansk, Veliki Burluk and Kupiansk.
Russia claimed on December 1 that it had taken Vovchansk, though Kyiv has not confirmed this.
Ukrainian Telegram channels also reported that a nearby bridge in Staryi Saltiv was destroyed.
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Army says impact is limited
Ukraine’s 16th Corps said the closure should not seriously hurt operations. They explained that the dam has been hit many times before and the army already had backup plans.
“The Ukrainian side has long been aware of the potential risks and is prepared for the eventuality of critical damage to the dam,” the statement said, adding that other routes are available and front-line units have enough supplies.
Officials are working to repair the road. They also stressed that attacking dams and other major structures is banned under international law because of the danger to civilians.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, bridges and dams across Kharkiv have been damaged or destroyed. In 2023, Russia blew up the Kakhovka dam on the Dnieper River, causing deadly flooding and massive destruction.
