Ukrainian military: Toretsk is on the verge of humanitarian catastrophe because of separatists
Due to a damaged water line, Toretsk is on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe, however, the separatists cannot guarantee the security of Ukrainian public utilities workers needed to start the repairs, as reported on Sunday by the press center of the Ukrainian armed forces.
They indicated that as a result of shelling that took place on 23 November, a water supply line connecting of Horlivka and Toretsk was hit and damaged. Since then, the water supply to the city of Toretsk and neighboring settlements stopped.
"Due to the lack of water in the city kindergartens and schools have been closed, and some micro districts of the cities are without heating. The city is on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe," the Ukrainian armed forces announced in a statement.
"Ukrainian public utilities workers have been ready to start repairing the line but the occupiers have not committed to guaranteeing their security," the statement reads.
At the same time, the press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) in the Donetsk region stated that the city has been provided with potable water. Moreover, the SESU has authorized the deployment and operation of three mobile warming centers. As of 6:00 on 27 November, 199 people have come to the warming centers, 87 of them were children.
As was reported, on 23 November, as a result of fighting near the city of Toretsk, a section of the Horlivkka – Toretsk water supply line was damaged. As a result, the water supply to the cities of Toretsk, Zalizne, and the town of Pivnichne in the Donetsk region has been lost and there is a possibility that the heat supply may be terminated as well.
So far, there are 48,900 people without heat. Moreover, 11 two-story and 24 one-story buildings are left without heat in Toretsk. In addition, classes have been suspended in 10 general education schools and 11 pre-schools in Toretsk.