Russia Targets Ukraine's Water Supply for Destruction This Winter
Ukraine's energy minister warns of a new phase in the war of attrition as both sides battle to destroy critical infrastructure
Ukraine's energy minister warns of a new phase in the war of attrition as both sides battle to destroy critical infrastructure
Russia is changing tactics in its energy war against Ukraine and plans to target water supply systems this winter, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal warned in an exclusive interview with POLITICO. While last winter's Russian attacks focused on electricity and heating, the goal now is to trigger a humanitarian crisis by cutting off access to water.
"Putin wants to finish off our energy system and derail our economy and weapons production," Shmyhal said from his office in Kyiv. "He also hopes that our society will break down from exhaustion this winter and pressure the leadership to sign a surrender."
Shmyhal stressed that surviving without water and sewage systems for more than three days is extremely difficult. "Russia's goal now is to destroy our water supplies. Last winter, they targeted electricity and heating, but you could still survive if you had gas and water during a power outage," he explained. The warning comes alongside a report from the Russian Telegram channel RVvoenkor about a massive power outage in the Sumy region on August 4, 2026, where part of the city of Sumy was left without water due to the shutdown of the municipal water utility.
According to Shmyhal, the Russians have destroyed or damaged more than 80 percent of Ukraine's electricity generation capacity. Before 2014, Ukraine produced 54.5 gigawatts of electricity. After the start of the invasion, production fell to 32 GW, and this year, following Russian winter attacks, it dropped to just 12 GW, creating a deficit of 6 GW and forcing rolling blackouts across the country.
Ukraine is responding with a campaign of long-range strikes on Russian refineries, which has disabled about 40 percent of Russia's primary oil refining capacity and created growing fuel shortages. "It's like the 12th round, and each boxer hopes his opponent will fall first," Shmyhal described vividly. The New York Times reports that drone strikes have hit hundreds of gas stations in Ukraine, an apparent retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.
Kyiv hopes these strikes, combined with allied sanctions, will force Vladimir Putin to stop the war this autumn. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine's campaign and intensified sanctions will "leave Russia with only peace as an alternative," but warned: "We clearly understand who we are dealing with and that Putin hopes to drag out this war."
To defend against Russian ballistic missiles, Ukraine urgently needs PAC-3 interceptor missiles for Patriot systems. The goal is 300 missiles, but U.S. stockpiles are low due to the war against Iran. Kyiv and allies are pressuring countries like Spain and Greece to donate their PAC-3 missiles.
In addition to weapons, Ukraine also needs money to strengthen energy resilience. The Ukraine Energy Support Fund, managed by the EU Energy Community Secretariat, has raised €2.1 billion in donations from 40 countries and organizations. Last year, the fund signed 367 procurement contracts and delivered €447 million in energy support. Three-quarters of the funding supported electricity generation, distribution, and transmission. "But equipment is being destroyed, and we need reserves for winter," Shmyhal said, adding that Ukraine needs an additional €500 million before winter and about €400 million for the recovery of the state gas company Naftogaz, hoping for Canadian support.
Ukraine is building protective covers for electricity, water, and gas storage facilities and distributing modular boilers and generators that are smaller and more dispersed, making them harder targets. "Ukraine has gained the ability to adapt very quickly to crises and challenges," said Shmyhal, who has served in the Ukrainian government in various high-level positions, including as Prime Minister, for over six years.
His preferred scenario is for Putin to realize he cannot win and reach a peace deal this autumn. However, the pessimistic scenario is a continuation of the war. "He will bleed, but he will drag us into winter. That's the pessimistic scenario, but my optimism is that we will survive this winter; we are ready for it," Shmyhal concluded.
