Critical water shortage in Russian-occupied Donetsk region worsens

A severe water crisis is unfolding in the Russian-occupied part of Donetsk region, affecting both drinking and technical water supplies, reports BBC Ukraine.

“Last week, water deliveries were cut even further: in Donetsk city, residents receive water only once every three days, while in other cities — including Mariupol — it’s supplied once every two days,” the media outlet reported.

Local authorities in the Russian-occupied parts of the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhya, as well in the Crimean Peninsula have flagged water quality issues, declaring them unfit for agricultural and domestic use.  

Commercial water dispensers have even stopped operating in Donetsk, according to Denys Kazanskyi, a Donetsk journalist now living and working in Kyiv, as reported by Espreso.

According to retired Maj. Gen. Serhii Kryvonos, Russian authorities prioritize supplying water to factories that have resumed operations to support Russia, rather than ensuring residents have adequate water.

“The water situation in Donetsk unfolded exactly like an economics textbook example. After the price of water rose to 5 rubles per liter, Pushilin [head of the occupation administration] banned further price increases and ordered water to be sold at 3.50 rubles. Guess what happened next? Exactly — water disappeared from sale because sellers refused to operate at a loss,” Kazanskyi said.

Despite daily statements from the so-called local authorities claiming improvements, including Pushilin’s claim that the problem is “70 percent resolved,” residents still face harsh water supply restrictions.

“Currently, water is provided once every three days — if you’re lucky. For example, it might be scheduled for today, but then an emergency is announced, and the schedule shifts, leaving people without water for four days. Sometimes it starts flowing at 5 p.m., then stops after half an hour, trickles again briefly, and then stops,” said Anatolii (name changed for safety), a Donetsk resident, in an interview with Suspilne Donbas.

The water shortages stem from shrinking reservoirs and a damaged pipeline that once supplied water from Kyiv-controlled territory to Donbas, worsened by ongoing fighting.

“Moreover, since 2014, after seizing part of Donetsk region, Russia has done little to improve the water situation,” BBC Ukraine said.

Residents of the occupied part of the Donetsk region have publicly appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to address the water crisis. During a meeting between Putin and Pushilin, the situation was blamed on a “water blockade by Ukraine.”

The occupation authorities began constructing the Don-Donetsk canal in 2023, but locals say the project has yet to become fully operational.

Russia attacks Ukrainian cities and villages daily. The Ukrainian World Congress publishes news on the largest shelling incidents. More detailed information on the consequences of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, read the Victory Chronicles.