THIS is the chilling moment a river in Ukraine turned blood red, a day after Russia struck a dam in one of Ukraine's biggest cities, forcing residents to leave their flooded homes.
Eight Russian cruise missiles stroke Kryvyi Rih, the largest city in central Ukraine on Wednesday and Thursday, effectively destroying the water pumping station and cause the Inhulets River to break through a dam on Thursday.
Now, footage of the swollen Inhulets River published by local newspaper Kyiv Post shows the flowing water has turned red, as local officials reported further missile strikes on the city.
"Kryvyi Rih again came under enemy fire. The Russians directed their missiles at critical infrastructure. There is serious destruction of hydraulic facilities," Valentyn Reznichenko, Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, posted on messaging app Telegram.
While it remains unclear why the river turned red, local residents speculated that the ruby colour could be linked to the river bank's red clay – and the flood eroding the soil further.
Kryvyi Rih, the birthplace of President Volodymyr Zelensky, is home to 650,000 people and many areas of the city have been evacuated following the strikes.
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It is estimated the river rose by 2.5 metres after the Kinzhal and Iskander cruise missiles stroke the Karachunivske reservoir.
Zelensky condemned the attack, describing Moscow's strike on the city's hydraulic system as "vile".
“Everything is being done to eliminate the consequences of yet another vile Russian act”, the president in a video address on Thursday.
Zelensky claimed the attack was an intentional attempt to flood the city.
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Ukraine's presidential office deputy head, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, took to Telegram to share his anger.
"It is a terrorist attack on our people, on a specific city. The missiles targeted the structures, which are critically important to people," he wrote.
Water from the overflowing reservoir is now making its way downstream towards Kherson, where Ukrainian troops have set up pontoon bridges as part of their bid to reclaim the city.
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"Russian forces likely targeted the Karachun Dam to damage Ukrainian pontoon bridges further downstream," the Institute for the Study of War think tank reported.
Wednesday's attack comes "in light of recent reports that Ukrainian troops are attempting to expand their bridgehead over the Inhulets River near Davydiv Brid as part of the ongoing Kherson counteroffensive," it added.
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