Belgorod region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said authorities plan to drain the heating systems in 455 apartment buildings ahead of an incoming cold snap. He also said 80% of subscribers in the region are experiencing heating problems.
Gladkov acknowledged that repairs to equipment damaged by explosions are progressing slowly.
“The measures our power and heating specialists have taken over the past two days have not yet produced the desired result. We have restored gas supply and resolved issues with cold water and wastewater removal, but we still have a problem with heating,” the Belgorod governor said.
He added that, due to explosions at infrastructure facilities and the approaching freeze, local authorities have begun draining water from the heating systems in 455 multi-apartment buildings. Dozens of kindergartens and schools, clinics, universities, social institutions and commercial enterprises also remain without heat.
“Restoration work, as I’ve said, continues. When we see that our thermal power plant is ready to supply heat, we will refill the heating system and circulate the coolant. If we don’t do this, the damage or harm would be practically catastrophic for every resident living in this part of the city,” Gladkov said, urging certain groups of residents to relocate to other regions of Russia.
Earlier, infrastructure in Russia’s Belgorod came under an aerial attack. According to the regional governor, energy facilities in the city of Belgorod and six districts were damaged.
Subsequently, a series of blasts was reported in Belgorod. After the explosions, some districts of the city lost electricity and heat.
