What is the route of the Dnieper River from the Valdai Hills to the Black Sea?

The Dnieper River originates in a peat bog on the southern slope of the Valdai Hills in Russia, approximately 150 miles west of Moscow. Its route flows generally southward through three countries:

• Russia: For the first 300 miles, the river flows through the Smolensk region, moving first south and then west.
• Belarus: Near Orsha, the river turns south and flows through Belarusian territory for about 370 miles.
• Ukraine: The river continues south to Kiev, then flows southeast to Dnipropetrovsk. Finally, it turns south-southwest to reach the Black Sea.1

Throughout its course, the river has been significantly modified by human activity, including the construction of various hydroelectric power stations and reservoirs that facilitate navigation and irrigation across the region.2