Russian Occupation Authorities Underestimated Death Toll
Russian occupation authorities deliberately undercounted the number of dead in the aftermath of the catastrophic explosion that destroyed the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region. The flooding that followed resulted in one of the most devastating chapters of the 22-month war in Ukraine. The Associated Press (AP) conducted an investigation, focusing on the town of Oleshky, where Russian authorities hid the true number of dead by taking control of death certificates, removing bodies not claimed by family, and preventing locals from dealing with the deceased.
High Death Toll and Manipulated Statistics
The AP investigation revealed that Russian authorities claimed only 59 deaths in the territory they control, but the number is believed to be in the hundreds in Oleshky alone. Health workers estimate that 200-300 people died in the town, with many still missing and likely trapped in their homes. Volunteers reported retrieving at least 100 bodies during the floods, which were then buried in shallow graves against their will. Fear of reprisal from Russian authorities prevents many residents and health workers from speaking out.
Chaos and Lack of Assistance
In the critical first hours following the dam collapse on June 6, occupation authorities downplayed the consequences, leading Oleshky residents to believe they would not be affected. This misinformation contributed to the high death toll. Chaos ensued as volunteers scrambled to rescue people without any support from occupation authorities for the first three days. The dead began appearing, with bloated bodies floating and others trapped in the mud under collapsed homes.
Control Over Death Certificates
Occupation authorities returned to Oleshky three days after the flooding and issued strict orders prohibiting doctors from issuing death certificates for drowning victims, but not for those who died of natural causes. This departure from protocol stripped doctors of their authority to document the number of dead. Police daily copied the hospital’s death certificates, ensuring none were for drowning victims. Relatives were directed to forensic centers in other districts, where occupation-appointed doctors were responsible for signing death certificates.
Burials in Mass Graves
Bodies were hastily buried in mass graves during the initial days of the floods. The AP confirmed the location of one mass grave in the yard of the Orthodox Pokrovska Church in Oleshky, where at least one man, Yurii Bilyi, a TV repairman, was buried. The precise number of mass graves or the total number of people buried in them remains unknown. Evidence, including documents, photos, and death certificates collected secretly, is still hidden in Oleshky.
Despite the fear of reprisal, witnesses and survivors are coming forward to shed light on the tragedy and the deliberate manipulation of death toll statistics by Russian occupation authorities. The AP’s investigation brings attention to the need for transparency and accountability in the face of such humanitarian disasters.
