Ankara: Ukrainian attacks damaged hydraulic equipment at the Belgorod Reservoir during the weekend, causing an uncontrolled release of water, authorities in Russia's Belgorod region said Tuesday. The regional operational headquarters stated that damage to the purely civilian infrastructure resulted from Ukrainian military shelling.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Belgorod Reservoir's hydraulic engineering complex was damaged over the weekend due to shelling from the armed forces of Ukraine, leading to a water discharge. Authorities have reported that Ukrainian forces have continued targeting the dam following the water release and that the attacks have not ceased.

Officials have indicated that regional authorities are collaborating with the federal agency responsible for the reservoir in efforts to stabilize the situation. There is a warning from regional authorities that a more severe breach of the dam could pose a flooding risk to nearby settlements. Thousands of people could potentially be affected if the structure were to incur more extensive damage.