Bombs fly as firefighters struggle to supply beleagured Sloviansk with water • FRANCE 24 English

FRANCE 24 English published this video item, entitled “Bombs fly as firefighters struggle to supply beleagured Sloviansk with water • FRANCE 24 English” – below is their description.

Donbas’s Sloviansk has been out of water for a month after the facilities needed to keep it running were damaged in the war. Since then, the city’s firefighters have been bringing water to Sloviansk’s dwindling and beleaguered population, in an already dangerous environment.

Sloviank’s water pumping and filtration plant to the east of the city was cut off in fighting, making repairs impossible. The Sloviank authorities make sure the firefighters know what’s needed and where. Queues gather every day, but impatience is growing after a month in this situation. “Tell the mayor we need two trucks for each building,” said one resident. “It’s not enough; I have to come so far every day to get water.”

Russian forces may be on their way: After the fall of Lysychansk just over 70km east, Sloviansk lies directly in their path as the Russian offensive in the Donbas grinds on.
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FRANCE 24 English YouTube Channel

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In This Story: Donbas

The Donbas or Donbass is a historical, cultural, and economic region in south-eastern Ukraine, and bordering Russia.

In March 2014, following the Euromaidan and 2014 Ukrainian revolution, the Donetsk and Luhansk “People’s Republics” took control of areas within the region with support from Russia. Russia recognised their independence in February 2022. No other country recognises the independence of the areas.

Before the war, the city of Donetsk (then the fifth largest city in Ukraine) had been considered the unofficial capital of the Donbas. Large cities (over 100,000 inhabitants) also included Luhansk, Mariupol, Makiivka, Horlivka, Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Alchevsk, Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk. Now the city of Kramatorsk is the interim administrative centre of the Donetsk Oblast, whereas the interim centre of Luhansk Oblast is Sievierodonetsk.