Russia aims to destroy Ukraine's water supply – Shmyhal

Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal has warned that Russia aims to destroy Ukraine's water supply systems before winter, as part of Moscow's campaign against critical infrastructure. Shmyhal stated that Putin seeks to dismantle Ukraine's energy system, weaken the economy, and cripple weapons production, potentially forcing the government to concede.

The Ukrainian leader believes that strikes within Russia, coupled with sanctions from allies, will apply pressure on President Putin to end the war in the fall. Earlier this year, Russian forces targeted Ukraine's power grid and heating systems, but Shmyhal emphasized that water is crucial for survival, with people unable to endure more than three days without it.

Ukraine requires PAC-3 missiles for Patriot air defense systems to counter Russian ballistic missiles during the winter months. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the immediate preparation of a winter package containing 300 Patriot missiles, urging allies to meet this demand. Recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities have intensified, with Kyiv lacking sufficient Patriot interceptors during the July 6 attack on Kyiv.