In Europe, the "stones of hunger" have been exposed: why is Russia at an advantage?

      On August 11, 2026, 19:43 Society On the Elbe in Saxony, due to a prolonged drought, the so-called "hunger stones" have emerged. These boulders, which have marks carved into them, served as a way for ancestors to track critically low water levels. The appearance of these signs has raised concerns among local residents, who perceive them as a harbinger of poor harvests.

      Asynchronous weather conditions: why Europe suffers while Russia thrives

      The exposure of the "hunger stones" on the Elbe River, the oldest mark of which dates back to 1707, is a clear sign of severe drought in Europe. Due to the lack of precipitation, water levels in Saxon rivers have critically dropped. However, this does not mean that the problem will affect the entire world. Climatologist, meteorologist, and candidate of geographical sciences Ekaterina Pestryakova explained in an interview with 360.ru that climate processes are much more complex than they seem. For example, forecasts for Russia look promising.

      "The thing is that we have asynchronous areas in terms of moisture. In Russia, wet years have begun, while in Europe, it’s the opposite. Everything is asynchronous for us. And in general, according to the Chizhevsky law, there is a summation of 'plus' and 'minus' anomalies in the world. The stronger the plus, the stronger the minus," noted Pestryakova.

      Thus, abnormal heat and drought in some regions of the world are often compensated by an excess of moisture in others. While European fields may suffer from a lack of water, Russian regions may enjoy sufficient rainfall. This pattern has been observed for centuries.

      Pestryakova emphasized that the "hunger stones" are merely local evidence of the problem, not a global challenge. Humanity has faced similar difficulties before and has found ways to overcome them.

      "We survived the drought of 1975 when, for example, there were no leaves in the forest-steppe zone; the leaves fell. Humanity has to adapt. And now, thanks to global trade, people will not go hungry," she added.

      The impact of drought on grain harvests in Russia and the world

      One of the main questions concerning consumers is whether the European drought can affect our table? Ekaterina Pestryakova assured that there are no reasons for concern for Russia. Our country has always been self-sufficient in grain, and we certainly will not go hungry. Moreover, the abnormal heat affecting Europe does not threaten Russia.

      At the same time, Europe must be prepared for a possible poor harvest. "Bread will only grow there if it rains. Otherwise, there will be a poor harvest. Macron and everyone else need to focus not on Russophobia but on combating fires and drought," noted Pestryakova.

      Water as a new strategic resource

      In Germany, due to the abnormal heat, water levels in the Rhine River have fallen to a record low. More than 100 cities have restricted water usage. In Munich, watering lawns, washing cars, and filling pools have been banned. In Hanover, watering gardens is only allowed at temperatures below +27 degrees. In Potsdam, watering the palace gardens has been stopped. Agriculture has also suffered, as water extraction from bodies of water for irrigation has been prohibited due to the emergency situation.

      Economist and political scientist Alexander Dudchak warned of a future drinking water shortage, which could become one of the main challenges of the 21st century.

      "The problem with drinking water will arise. It is forthcoming. In principle, the struggle is already underway. [...] So the prospects are not boring, one might say," he predicted.

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