The Kyiv City State Administration advises Kyiv residents to stock up on drinking water: Is the capital prepared for new attacks on its water supply systems?
8 April 18:19
Exclusive
Preparations are underway in Kyiv for possible new Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, particularly water supply systems. City officials emphasize that, despite the current stability, the risks remain high.
Kyiv City State Administration spokesperson Kateryna Pop noted in an exclusive comment to "Komersant Ukrainian" that the city has already gained experience following the winter attacks and is actively refining its resilience plans.
“Kyiv, among other things, has presented its resilience plan regarding the protection and development of critical infrastructure. It is important to understand that the enemy will not, under any circumstances, cease its attempts to attack the civilian and critical infrastructure of the city of Kyiv,” Pop emphasized.
Under attack—not only the energy sector, but also water supply
According to the spokesperson, Russia may continue attacks not only on energy facilities but also on life-support systems, including water.
“This includes life-support systems, such as the water supply. Why is this being done? First, to destabilize the situation, cause panic among the population, and worsen living conditions for civilians,” she explained.
Against this backdrop, city authorities are urging residents to be prepared for emergencies, specifically to keep a minimum supply of drinking water at home.
“All adults understand that residents of a country at war should have some basic supplies. But there is no need to sow chaos and panic,” the spokesperson emphasized.
At the same time, the Kyiv City State Administration stresses: this is not about mass panic or excessive stockpiling, but about basic preparedness.
What the Kyiv City State Administration’s Resilience Plan Entails
Kyiv has developed a comprehensive resilience plan covering all key life-support systems:
- electricity supply
- heating
- water supply
- sewage
“The focus is on ensuring the city’s entire life support systems. Because water supply is impossible without wastewater disposal, and electricity and heat are also interconnected,” Pop explained.
Most details of the plan are not being disclosed for security reasons.
Engineering protection and winter experience
Separately, Kyiv authorities are counting on additional engineering protection for critical facilities, which is being developed at the national level.
“The Recovery Agency is already beginning to develop and launch protection systems for major regional centers. We hope this experience will also be applied in Kyiv,” the spokesperson noted.
According to her, it was precisely the experience of last winter that allowed for better preparation for new challenges. The Kyiv City Military Administration emphasizes: despite all risks, the situation in the capital is currently under control, and all services are on high alert.
“There is no need to spread unverified reports, and it is essential to practice information hygiene. All services are ready to respond promptly and mitigate the consequences of attacks,” Pop concluded.
As a reminder, earlier Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had received intelligence documents indicating that the Russians would target bridges, dams, hydroelectric power plants, pumping stations, and drinking water supplies.
