Freezing cold worsens water crisis in Russian-occupied Ukraine's Donbas
Photo: Cold weather worsens the water crisis (Getty Images)
Freezing temperatures have sharply worsened the critical water supply situation in the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine's Donetsk region. The cold has been compounded by widespread emergency power outages and heating problems, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council.
"In many settlements, there is no water in the taps, and water delivery barrels have either frozen or are empty. Entire city blocks have been left without access to drinking water. On top of the water crisis, freezing temperatures have caused large-scale emergency power outages and heating issues," the CCD said.
The Center adds that urban infrastructure, which had been in disrepair for years, has effectively ceased functioning during the winter.
According to the CCD, these problems stem from a complete lack of modernization under years of Russian occupation. No one invested in water pipelines or other systems; the engineering lines were only patched sporadically, without strategic planning or funding.
"Today, residents of the occupied territories are facing the consequences of such improper management," the Center notes.
The CCD concludes that Russia does not view the occupied territories as a place for people to live, but only as a tool to achieve its military and political goals.
Water problems in temporarily occupied territories
Water supply issues in the Donbas existed even before the extreme cold. In November, occupation authorities in temporarily occupied areas of the Donetsk region began informing residents that mine water could be used as an "alternative" to drinking water. However, mine water is not safe for human consumption.
Mine water in the Donbas is highly mineralized, contains heavy metals, sulfates, petroleum products, radionuclides, and industrial chemicals. Even Russian ecologists admit that it is only suitable for technical, non-drinking purposes.
Earlier, Russian authorities were reportedly faking water restoration efforts in the Donbas, but local authorities actually embezzled funds, and residents continued to have no access to water in their homes.
