De Kruif has seen many attacks from Ukraine and Russian counterattacks in recent days. “This increased activity is a sign that we have entered the next stage,” said the retired general and former army commander. He expects we will see in the coming days where he will be the main target of the offensive.’
“You can’t blow up a dam from the outside. It takes a lot of preparation
In recent days, according to De Kruif, attention has rightly focused on the destruction of the Nova Kachovka dam. In addition to the enormous destruction of the region, this also creates tactical difficulties for the Ukrainians, who can no longer reach important places on the left bank of the Dnipro River. “Although I assume they have considered that scenario.”
“You can’t blow up a dam from the outside”
The former commander also sees other reasons that make it very likely that Moscow is behind the explosion. “You can’t blow up a dam from the outside. It takes a lot of preparation and the explosion has to happen below the waterline,” he says. “And who was in the dam? The Russians”.
He does not consider the idea that only increased water pressure – the tank level has been very high in recent days – forced the breakthrough. ‘Army experts tell me that this is not possible, because such a dam with a thickness of five or six meters of reinforced concrete must be able to handle it. It is possible that it increased the effect of the explosion.’
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