Photo from Krym.Realii
Today, more than 70% of the normal vegetation is completely drying out.
Ukraine's Deputy Minister for temporarily occupied areas and internally displaced persons Yuriy Hrymchak says Russian-annexed Crimea, which was supplied with water from mainland Ukraine, is completely drying out, and the occupiers will not be able to stop the process.
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"We are monitoring the Crimean territory by satellites. Today, more than 70% of the normal vegetation is completely drying out. Simply put, that steppe Crimea, which lived at the expense of the water that came from Ukraine, is completely drying," the official told the Ukrainian online news outlet Obozrevatel on June 11.
When asked if there were any appeals from Russia to restore water supplies to the peninsula from Ukraine, he responded negatively, noting that, according to all international conventions, it is Russia's duty to ensure relevant supplies, including drinking water, to the occupied territories.
He says there are several conditions under which Ukraine will agree to resume water supplies to Crimea.
"The prerequisites are the withdrawal of [Russia's] troops and the liberation of Crimea, as well as the compensation for losses," he added.
Regarding the occupiers' capability to address the problem, Hrymchak assures this is almost impossible due to the cost of the required technology.
"Yes, it's possible to carry water with airships. It is theoretically possible to use a water desalination system, but it is very expensive, since the system itself and its maintenance will cost a lot. As far as I know, they do not even consider such an opportunity for today," he explained.