Satellite photos show flooding around Kyiv, protecting the capital from Russian advances in a...

Satellite images show flooding in the Irpin River basin northwest of Kyiv.

It is unclear what caused the flooding, but this could be a strategic move by Ukraine to block the advance of Russian troops on the capital, analysts have said. The basin borders a large reservoir.

It could be an example of "hydraulic warfare" from Ukraine to block the advancing Russian troops targeting the city's northwest, analysts previously told the Washington Post. If the Russian forces cannot cross the Irpin river, they will not be able to take Kyiv from the west, according to CNN.