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Prior to the occupation of Crimea by Russia, Ukraine had covered up to 85% of the peninsula's needs for fresh water through the North Crimean Canal.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Oleksiy Reznikov has said Ukraine may resume water supplies to Crimea only after Russia ceases occupation of the peninsula, but if international organizations confirm that there is a humanitarian disaster in the area, the government could send water tanks to cover the household needs.
"There's even nothing to discuss here: if Crimea's occupation is over, there'll be water. When the UN humanitarian mission, the ICRC come out and say there is a humanitarian catastrophe and the civilian population is suffering, humanitarian convoys will be sent, water tanks, under control of humanitarian missions," he told the Suspilne public broadcaster in an interview.
"No one will supply water to military bases, production capacities in militarized Crimea. There are enough drinking water supplies for the civilian population in Crimea," Reznikov added.
In late summer 2020, water supplies to households were limited in the city of Simferopol and 39 other settlements of the Simferopol and Bakhchisarai districts due to drought and the shallowing of reservoirs. On September 23, restrictive measures for the water supply were introduced in the towns of Alushta, Partenit, and Maly Mayak. Also, water is delivered in water tanks to 29 villages in northern Crimea over dried wells.
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Prior to the occupation of Crimea by Russia, Ukraine had used to cover up to 85% of the peninsula's needs for freshwater through the North Crimean Canal.
After the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, Ukraine severed water supplies.
The Ukrainian authorities claim the resumption of water supplies to Crimea would be possible only in the context of the end of the Russian occupation.