It's a long time since I read Buchan's _Greenmantle_, but I remember (in a general way) his American character John Blenkiron discussing the potential uses of water as a weapon on the Western Front in a matter-of-fact and frankly chilling way.
So, we don't know for sure who is responsible. I don't see how it aids the Russians for them to have potentially destroyed the water supply to the North Crimean Canal which provides irrigation to most of Crimea. Crimea can't be a bread basket without irrigation water.
It is interesting when you look at the fortifications of the Russians in Ukraine that they are thinnest around Donetsk (city). A drive centered on the SE of the city leads to a major road nexus behind the city and would allow a mobile attack to surround and cut it off (for security) as the attack proceeds SE toward Rostov-on-Don in Russia - truly cutting through to the Sea of Azov and cutting off Russian forces...maybe being able to take the OTHER end of the Kerch Bridge. At least long enough to make things tough in Crimea as they turn back to attack there. One has to think that this attack would draw Russian forces from other areas of the battlefield entrenchments to respond, letting the Ukrainians in place in those areas advance in a general offensive.
Now, throw in bombing the dam...and you cut off Russian reinforcements to the Don and isolate the battlefield.
Per your last comment, I envision that any thoughts of taking out the Three Gorges Dam is off the table for environmental reasons plus the negative publicity we would get from that destruction. We had the opportunity to bomb the dam and dike network in North Vietnam and passed. That was during a time long before we got so environmentally sensitive and worried about collateral damage. I don't see it even as being on the table.
It was to the benefit of Ukraine, that's why they're releasing water from upstream the destroyed dam. This allows them to remove personnel from defensive positions on Kherson to support their offensive.
This event has not appeared in any of the papers I read. Hm. Anyway, wonder if there will be as cool a march composed for this as there was for the Dambusters movie?
"But do you see the mountain of skulls?"
"As ye sow, so shall ye reap." I read that somewhere.
It's a long time since I read Buchan's _Greenmantle_, but I remember (in a general way) his American character John Blenkiron discussing the potential uses of water as a weapon on the Western Front in a matter-of-fact and frankly chilling way.
Let the water flow...
Another vulnerable area is the entire Crimean area water system.
Reap what one sows.
Although I increasingly fear the end of this war will be an intervention
So, we don't know for sure who is responsible. I don't see how it aids the Russians for them to have potentially destroyed the water supply to the North Crimean Canal which provides irrigation to most of Crimea. Crimea can't be a bread basket without irrigation water.
"A 2015 study found that the canal had been providing 85% of Crimea's water prior to the 2014 shutdown." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Crimean_Canal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakhovka_Reservoir
Are you insane? Casual talk about taking on both Russia and China makes you a candidate for an assylum.
It is interesting when you look at the fortifications of the Russians in Ukraine that they are thinnest around Donetsk (city). A drive centered on the SE of the city leads to a major road nexus behind the city and would allow a mobile attack to surround and cut it off (for security) as the attack proceeds SE toward Rostov-on-Don in Russia - truly cutting through to the Sea of Azov and cutting off Russian forces...maybe being able to take the OTHER end of the Kerch Bridge. At least long enough to make things tough in Crimea as they turn back to attack there. One has to think that this attack would draw Russian forces from other areas of the battlefield entrenchments to respond, letting the Ukrainians in place in those areas advance in a general offensive.
Now, throw in bombing the dam...and you cut off Russian reinforcements to the Don and isolate the battlefield.
Did you graduate from the Kaiser Wilhelm School of Diplomacy? How about negotiations rather than escalation?
Not hard to envision this becoming one of those "hold my beer" moments.
Per your last comment, I envision that any thoughts of taking out the Three Gorges Dam is off the table for environmental reasons plus the negative publicity we would get from that destruction. We had the opportunity to bomb the dam and dike network in North Vietnam and passed. That was during a time long before we got so environmentally sensitive and worried about collateral damage. I don't see it even as being on the table.
Yes sir turn about is fair play and since both sides claim the other did it both can now target dams.
The US wanted to bust the red river aka Hong river dams and dikes but the idea was shelved with the projected 200,000 KIA in the Civilian population.
Nixon said heck we might as well use atomic weapons then.
I see possible every Dams now in both nations as targets.
"isn’t to the benefit of Ukraine"
It was to the benefit of Ukraine, that's why they're releasing water from upstream the destroyed dam. This allows them to remove personnel from defensive positions on Kherson to support their offensive.
https://neverwasmag.com/2016/07/how-the-dutch-would-flood-their-country-to-stop-invaders/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inundation_of_Walcheren
The primary flooding of the Netherlands in WWII was a joint RAF and Canadian venture.
This event has not appeared in any of the papers I read. Hm. Anyway, wonder if there will be as cool a march composed for this as there was for the Dambusters movie?