| Oskol Reservoir | |||||||
| Pushpin Map: | Ukraine Kharkiv Oblast | ||||||
| Pushpin Map Alt: | Location of a reservoir in Ukraine | ||||||
| Location: | Kharkiv Oblast | ||||||
| Coords: | 49.2928°N 37.5711°W | ||||||
| Type: | reservoir | ||||||
| Inflow: | Oskil River | ||||||
| Outflow: | Oskil River | ||||||
| Basin Countries: | Ukraine | ||||||
| Length: | 125km (78miles) (before destruction) | ||||||
| Width: | 4km (02miles) (before destruction) | ||||||
| Area: | 130km2 (before destruction) | ||||||
| Depth: | 4m (13feet) (before destruction) | ||||||
| Volume: | 474hm3 (before destruction) | ||||||
| Module: |
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The Oskil Reservoir (uk|Оскільське водосховище; ru|Оскольское водохранилище, sometimes translated as Oskol, Oskilske -) was an artificial lake on the Oskil River in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. It was formerly known as the Chervony-Oskil Reservoir.
The reservoir was opened in 1958. Before it was drained, the reservoir's area was 130 km², with a maximal length of 125 km, a maximal width of 4 km, an average depth of 4 m and a volume of approximately 474 hm³. The purpose of the reservoir was to regulate water levels, to serve as a source for electricity, and to help the fishing industry.[1]
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the reservoir was noted for its strategic importance, as causing downstream flooding would be one way to slow Russian advances in the Donbas.[2]
In July 2022, Russian shelling destroyed the reservoir's Oskil Dam, draining its level to one-sixth that of its pre-war size.[3] The loss of water from the reservoir caused significant environmental damage, including the deaths of millions of fish and other endangered species.