Amid heating problems in Belgorod caused by “major firepower directed at energy facilities (retaliatory strikes by Ukraine on the energy infrastructure of Russia’s border regions),” Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Sunday, February 8, urged affected residents to send school-age children to other regions of Russia or to annexed Crimea.
The administration also announced it is ready to “relocate to other regions” large families, families with children with disabilities, and elderly people living alone. To do so, residents must submit an application to the city administration.
In a Telegram address, Gladkov warned that residents of the Belgorod region are facing “another extremely difficult period of time.”
At the time of his address, 500 customers in Belgorod were without power, according to the governor. As temperatures drop, regional authorities decided to drain the heating system in 455 apartment buildings, as well as 25 kindergartens, 17 schools, 9 clinics, 4 universities and a number of other social facilities and commercial enterprises in the city, Gladkov said.
“When we see that our CHP is ready to supply heat, we will refill the heating system and deliver heat to residential buildings, social facilities and commercial enterprises. If we don’t do this, the damage will be almost catastrophic for every resident living in this part of the city,” he said.
He added that kindergartens with heating and electricity will operate around the clock, allowing parents to place children there if they wish.
Amid severe winter cold, Russia has been striking Ukraine’s energy facilities almost daily, creating a critical situation in parts of the country.
In Kyiv, electricity is supplied for only one and a half to two hours a day, energy company DTEK said on February 7.
