It’s 36 degrees in the shade, and even the night brings no relief — an August heat wave has gripped Crimea. Those who live by the sea are seeking refuge in it. Residents of Dzhankoy are less fortunate. Water flows from the townspeople’s taps for only three hours a day. In the surrounding villages, there is no water at all. As before, volunteers are delivering drinking water to the villagers. The occupiers continue to pretend that northern Crimea doesn’t exist — people haven’t received a single water tanker or even a bottle of water from the authorities. Those same volunteers are bringing food, medicine, and hygiene supplies to the villages. 

“I’m really tired. Not so much from the trips themselves as from the ingratitude. People quickly got used to us bringing them everything and started taking it for granted: ‘You’re volunteers, after all; you’re obligated to do this.’ But no, we’re not obligated — especially to those who could get behind the wheel themselves and bring their fellow villagers that same water and diapers. One woman told me yesterday that one pack of water per person wasn’t enough — I almost lost my temper. But I feel sorry for the elderly, so we’re not stopping,” says Gulnara, a volunteer from Simferopol, with a heavy heart.

Electricity in the Dzhankoy District is supplied for two hours a day. The voltage in the grid is no more than 130 volts. People say this isn't enough even for lighting, let alone appliances.

“What air conditioner? Are you kidding? I checked it yesterday — 115 volts. The fridge won’t even turn on — it’s brand new, but the safety cut-off kicks in. And our neighbors’ old one broke down — it couldn’t handle it. They don’t care if our stuff works or if we’re even alive — they just need to report to Moscow: ‘Crimea has power,’” complains Viktor, a resident of Dzhankoy.

But what people fear most is an outbreak of infectious diseases. In Dzhankoy, the heat has been accompanied by a foul odor coming from the local river. Residents suspect that the wastewater treatment plant is not operating and that sewage is flowing directly into the water. 

“The stench is awful, but you can put up with it. Ever since we were kids, we’ve called it the ‘stinky river.’ The problem is something else: my 12-year-old son is on summer break. There’s no internet, so he hangs out with his friends all day long. Of course, I’ve told him a hundred times not to go in the river, but can you ever be sure of anything with teenagers? Especially since it’s probably 50 degrees in the sun right now. How am I supposed to treat him later without water?” worries city resident Kateryna. 

The authorities are not responding to complaints from Dzhankoy residents. Inna Fedorenko, the head of the occupation district administration, issued a statement saying that she is undergoing medical treatment and is therefore absent from work. 

Inna Fedorenko, head of the Dzhankoy occupation district administration 

“My team continues to fully carry out all assigned tasks. No request will be ignored. Thank you for your patience,” the collaborator wrote on her channel in the Russian messaging app MAX, wishing the residents of Dzhankoy “well-being and good health.”