On March 23, russian occupiers destroyed the dam on the Siverskyi Donets near Raihorodok with two aerial bombs. This was reported to Suspilne Donbas by the director general of the municipal enterprise “Company Water of Donbas”, Ihor Novak.
Due to the fact that the hydraulic structure was destroyed by shelling, it is impossible to fill the water intakes at the First and Second lifts of the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas canal.
“Currently, there is enough water for two weeks. Therefore, water supply schedules will be introduced in the cities of the Donetsk oblast. We also strongly ask people to use water rationally and economically”, - Ihor Novak emphasized.
The report recalls that in the autumn of 2022, the russian army had already blown up the dam on the Siverskyi Donets near Raihorodok. At that time, the occupiers were retreating from Sviatohirsk and Lyman after the successful offensive of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in Kharkiv oblast. As a result of the explosion, Raihorodok was partially flooded.
The dam was repaired in the summer of 2024 with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross. At that time, the main lifting mechanisms were restored, debris formed as a result of the damage was cleared, and assistance was provided in clearing the area of unexploded ordnance to reduce risks for utility workers.