Local Telegram channels "Fonar" and "Belgorod No. 1" have published photos and videos confirming that the Belgorod reservoir has dried up after strikes on its dam. The channel "Pepel ➜ Belgorod" reported that authorities failed to stop the uncontrolled water discharge, and the reservoir has receded to the historical riverbed of the Seversky Donets.
Belgorod urbanist Vladimir Titov said the water level has dropped to a record low, fully exposing the historical riverbed. According to him, water depth in some areas ranges from 10 to 40 centimeters, and the bottom is covered with a layer of silt and clay. Where the riverbed used to be, tree stumps are now visible that grew before the dam was built in 1985.
One local resident, as reported by 7x7, said he was able to walk to an island in the reservoir for the first time without crossing by boat. He did not notice any dead fish, but there were many crayfish.
The dam of the Belgorod reservoir was destroyed on July 19 as a result of a missile and drone attack near the villages of Bezlyudovka and Grafovka in the Shebekino district. After that, an intensive water discharge began, and on July 23 a repeated strike on the dam was reported. Soon the river near Shebekino overflowed its banks, and several settlements were threatened with flooding.
In autumn 2025, the dam had already been damaged by strikes, leading to water discharge and shallowing of some coastal areas—but the shallowing was not as severe then.