Russian town cut off from water as Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery burns for days

In Russia's Krasny Sulin, water supplies have been completely cut off. Russian authorities redirected resources to fill firefighting reservoirs to battle a blaze at the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery, Russian media reports.
Residents have been promised water deliveries "upon request." Service will resume only after pressure testing of the network and once reservoirs are fully refilled.
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Utility officials in Russia's Rostov region said the cutoff was necessary because additional water was needed to contain the refinery fire. The blaze has been burning for three days after a drone strike and has not yet been brought under control.
Regional Housing and Utilities Minister Antonina Pshenichnaya said water supply will be restored only once reservoirs reach the required level and testing is complete.
Locals were offered a delivery system to request water. In comments under the minister’s post on Telegram, many expressed anger. Some called for Novoshakhtinsk to be cut off instead, while others complained of long-standing problems with low water pressure.
Since August 21, water pressure in Novoshakhtinsk has already been reduced to fill firefighting tanks after the first strike on the refinery. At that time, residents were warned about “low pressure” and asked to accept the restrictions.
Novoshakhtinsk Mayor Sergei Bondarenko said firefighting efforts remain difficult. He advised residents to go outside less often, keep windows closed at night, wear masks, and seal cracks with a wet cloth.
On March 21, the Rostov region came under drone attack. In Rostov-on-Don, two apartment buildings were struck.