Washington, 6 June 2023 (dpa/MIA) - The US government expects "significant damage" to the people of Ukraine and the region following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine.

"We know there are casualties, including likely many deaths, though these are early reports and we can't quantify them right now," National Security Council communications director John Kirby said at the White House on Tuesday. "We cannot say conclusively what happened at this point," he added.

US President Joe Biden had been briefed on the events, he said.

Ukraine accuses Russia of blowing up the dam, causing major flooding. Russia occupies the area of the hydroelectric plant. Moscow, on the other hand, claims that Ukrainian troops shelled the plant. 

The US government also stressed on Tuesday that Russia had control over the hydroelectric plant during the explosion. "We're doing the best we can to assess those reports," Kirby made clear.

In addition to the loss of life, the destruction of the power plant could have a devastating impact on Ukraine's energy security, he warned.