Emergency water supply schedules to be introduced in Donetsk Oblast after dam destroyed

After Russian forces destroyed the dam on the Siverskyi Donets River, water reserves are expected to last for only around two weeks, prompting the introduction of emergency water supply schedules in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Suspilne Donbas, branch of Ukraine's national public broadcaster in Donetsk Oblast; Bakhmut IN.UА, a local news outlet in Donetsk Oblast, citing Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES) in Donetsk Oblast

Details: The dam on the Siverskyi Donets near the village of Raihorodok was destroyed by two aerial bombs on 23 March.

As the hydraulic structure was destroyed in the strike, it is no longer possible to fill the water intake facilities at first stage and second stage pumping stations of the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal.

Ihor Novak, CEO of the Donbas Water Company municipal utility company, said water reserves in the reservoirs are expected to last for around two weeks.

Quote: "As things stand, there is enough water left for two weeks. That is why emergency water supply schedules will be introduced in the cities of Donetsk Oblast. We also urge residents to use water carefully and sparingly."

More details: Meanwhile, the editors of Bakhmut IN.UA approached the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service in Donetsk Oblast for comment. The SES representatives said that, at least for now, the destruction of the dam poses no threat to civilians. There is no flooding in populated areas.

Quote from SES in Donetsk Oblast: "There is currently no flooding threat, everything is okay. As of now, the situation is under control. If we consider the river mouth, there are no settlements there that could be flooded."

More details: SES experts are continuing to monitor the situation. If the situation deteriorates, emergency services stand ready to carry out an evacuation if necessary.

In autumn 2022, the Russian forces blew up the dam on the Siverskyi Donets near Raihorodok. At that time, the Russians were retreating from Sviatohirsk and Lyman after a successful advance by Ukraine's defence forces in Kharkiv Oblast. Raihorodok was partially flooded as a result of the explosion.

The dam was repaired in summer 2024 with funding from the International Committee of the Red Cross. The main lifting mechanisms of the sluice gates were restored, debris caused by the damage was cleared and assistance was provided to remove unexploded ordnance from the area, reducing the risks faced by utility workers.

Background:

• A leak of technical oils into the Dnister River has occurred following a Russian attack on infrastructure facilities near the Dnister Hydroelectric Power Plant in Chernivtsi Oblast, with the pollution spreading downstream into Moldova.
• Earlier reports indicated that since early October 2025, Russian forces have deliberately attacked 11 hydroelectric power plants and 45 major combined heat and power plants.
• The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraine's largest state-owned hydropower company which operates hydropower plants along the Dnipro and Dnister rivers, with a €75 million loan for the modernisation and renovation of hydropower facilities.

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