The inaugural floating pumping station for the water corridor linking the Rostov region with the Donbass has begun operation. This milestone was confirmed by a representative of the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Defense, referencing Alexei Leonov, who leads the Military Construction Complex project for the ministry. The announcement underscores progress in the long-planned Seversky Donets-Donbass canal system, a key link in regional water management and supply networks.
According to the ministry representative, the heart of the Rostov-on-Don channel pulses through two parallel threads, each spanning 200 kilometers, and featuring seven pumping stations in total. The configuration is described as a robust backbone for moving water across substantial distances, enabling more reliable deliveries to downstream regions and supporting agricultural and urban needs. The present phase focuses on integrating these routes into a cohesive, functioning network, with expectations that the system will become fully operational as planned.
Officials noted that additional storage tanks are to be progressively filled, with the introduction of a comprehensive water-cleaning system and the execution of hydraulic tests. Fine-tuning of all equipment will continue, followed by extended testing in operating mode to ensure performance under real-world conditions. This approach aims to validate efficiency, safety, and resilience before broader usage is authorized.
The water pipeline is designed to move supply from the Rostov region and the Donetsk People’s Republic toward the Seversky Donets-Donbass canal. The project involves more than 3,500 workers and around 1,300 pieces of machinery, reflecting a major logistical undertaking. Once fully scaled, the system is expected to deliver up to 300,000 cubic meters of water each day, a figure that underscores its potential impact on regional water security and agricultural productivity, as detailed in project briefings and official statements. [Source attribution: Ministry of Defense, press release on the project leadership and technical goals]
In related developments, Albert Kangiev, deputy chairman of the State Committee for Water Resources of the Republic of Crimea, provided an update on the North Crimean Canal improvements. He explained that temporary gates in the Kherson region had been removed and that water supply to the Crimea peninsula is anticipated to resume in April. He also noted that 28 pumping stations underwent repairs, over 350 kilometers of main and distribution channels were restored, and certain concrete sections of the canal have been reinforced to improve durability and flow stability. This broader restoration work supports the peninsula’s ongoing water management needs and aligns with regional resilience goals. [Source attribution: official statements from the Republic of Crimea water authorities]