THE United Nations has rebuked Moscow for allegedly denying its aid workers access to Russian-occupied areas affected by the recent Kakhova dam collapse in southern Ukraine.

The flooding from the breached dam has stranded residents, threatened power supplies and caused an environmental calamity as the proxy war being fought by the United States and its allies through Ukraine against the invading Russians approaches its 16 months.

UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Ukraine Denise Brown said in a statement late on Sunday that the organisation has engaged with Moscow and Kiev, each of which occupies parts of the southern Kherson region where the dam and reservoir are located, to address the “devastating destruction” caused by the breach.

The Russian government “has so far declined our request to access the areas under its temporary military control,” Ms Brown said.

She added: “We urge the Russian authorities to act in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law.”

There has been no comment from Russian authorities.

According to officials, the death toll from the flooding is reportedly 16 in Ukraine, with 29 fatalities reported in Russian-controlled territories.

There is no evidence for who was responsible for the breach of the dam which lies on the Dnieper river, as Russia and Ukraine continue to blame each other for the incident.