An important dam burst in a Russian-occupied area of Ukraine's southern Kherson region following a reported explosion Tuesday.

Water gushed from the Kakhova dam forcing residents downriver to flee and prompting dire warnings of ecological disaster.

It’s seen as a complex new element inserted into the war between Russia and Ukraine, and both sides are blaming each other for the dam's destruction.

“It kind of marks a turning point in a sense," said Marina Miron, a post-doctoral researcher in war studies at King's College in London, England.

"Now that Ukraine has begun its counteroffensive … this will be remembered most likely as intentional by whatever side [is responsible],” she said, adding that both sides could see some advantage in blowing up the dam.


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