Russia may target water supply systems in Ukraine, leaving cities without water
Russia may target water intake facilities (photo: Getty Images)
Russia may attack water intake facilities this summer, potentially leaving entire cities in Ukraine without water, especially in the frontline and southeastern regions.
As a source in state structures told our outlet, water intake system facilities may become the main target of the Russians. They differ in each settlement.
According to him, sources of water may be rivers and sometimes underground wells. But in most Ukrainian settlements, there is only one water intake facility. Only in some large cities do several water intake units operate.
"This means that disabling one facility may lead to termination of water supply for an entire settlement," he noted.
For example, restoration of the water pipeline destroyed in Mykolaiv back in 2022 took several years and cost over 6 billion UAH (about 150 million USD). Centralized water supply to the city was restored only at the end of 2025.
Vice President of Ukrainian Water Association Artem Shyra also believes that enemy targets may primarily be water intake facilities, as well as pumping stations.
"Pumps are difficult to find for replacement, and repairs will take weeks," he said in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
The main vulnerability of water networks is the lack of backup water intake systems that could serve as a real alternative in case of destruction of the existing system.
"We often have one intake system operating. But even where there is a backup, it is located essentially in the same room as the main one — literally a couple of meters away. Nearby are two pumps — main and backup — and two transmission lines for pump operation. If there is a hit, everything will be destroyed at once," Shyra noted.
The issue of installing alternative water intake facilities in settlements is currently being worked on. However, their construction and commissioning are practically impossible before summer — it takes 9 to 12 months.
As an option, the use of mobile water intake stations — roughly speaking, mobile pumping units — is being considered. They will be able to move along water bodies from which water is taken to areas where the stationary stations are disabled.
"In winter, we used mobile generators. Using the same logic, we want to do it with water. Obviously, we will not transport water, but equipment that will move along rivers and operate as an alternative water intake," the source said.
Some equipment for such stations is already being contracted, and some is being produced in Ukraine. At least 6 stations can be discussed at this stage. They will have a fairly high capacity — 100–300 thousand cubic meters per day. This is enough for medium-sized regional centers — Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, and Poltava. For Kyiv, Odesa, and Lviv, one unit will not be enough.
Mobile pumping stations can be put into operation much faster than new stationary water intake facilities.
"These stations will be used in difficult conditions for a short period of time. This will be a temporary water supply. Of course, in such cases, there may be some inconveniences," the source said.
Russia is preparing strikes on the water supply
On March 2, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian forces are preparing strikes on three targets.
According to him, this concerns a new wave of attacks on infrastructure, logistics, and water supply.
