Severe Water Crisis Grips Russian-Occupied Eastern Ukraine

Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk, Luhansk, and Mariupol, are facing a severe and worsening water crisis due to extensive infrastructure damage from ongoing conflict and ecological problems. Despite promises from Russian authorities to restore water services, efforts have been insufficient, with broken pipelines, damaged canals, and water theft exacerbating the situation, leading residents to rely on wells, rainwater collection, and municipal water tanks. The humanitarian impact is dire, with health risks from limited access to clean water raising fears of epidemics. Russian neglect and military actions, such as the destruction of the Kahovka Dam, have intensified shortages, while Moscow struggles to provide basic needs in the territories it controls. Meanwhile, residents endure rising water prices and unsafe tap water, underlining the failure of the occupying forces to address the crisis adequately. This situation unfolds against the backdrop of broader geopolitical tensions, including U.S. President Donald Trump's reported support for Russian territorial gains in peace negotiations.