Occupied cities of Donbass, such as Donetsk and Makiyivka, are facing an extraordinary water supply crisis. The lack of water and deficiencies in public utilities have resulted in serious sanitary problems, threatening the emergence of epidemics. Local residents complain on social media about the critical situation in the occupation, which could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. This is reported by 'Glavkom', citing local social media and Donetsk blogger, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vitaliy Ovcharenko.
Serious water supply issues in the occupied territories began in the spring of 2022, when critical infrastructure, including the Sever Donets - Donbass canal, was damaged as a result of hostilities. The occupying authorities failed to restore stable water supply, which has caused a humanitarian crisis that has lasted for several years.
The lack of water has led to a complete collapse of the sewage system. According to residents, in the occupation, people are forced to use plastic bottles and bags for their needs, which are then thrown into the streets or garbage bins. Due to the absence of waste removal, garbage decomposes on the streets, creating a dangerous epidemic situation.
Residents of Donetsk and Makiyivka spend hours in line for drinking and technical water. Fights over water often occur at specially installed cisterns. People come with bottles, but the water is not always enough for everyone. Technical water is sold as drinking water in special machines. Many people, hoping for winter, plan to melt snow for water, but this could cause heating problems in homes without water supply.
A serious water supply crisis has emerged in the occupied territories of Donbass, which has lasted for several years. As a result of infrastructure damage during hostilities and deficiencies in the actions of the occupying authorities, citizens face significant difficulties in accessing water, which may exacerbate the humanitarian situation and spread health epidemics.