- Inadequate infrastructure in Russia is causing severe heating system breakdowns, leaving many people freezing in the harsh winter conditions.
- A large heating pipe burst in Nizhny Novgorod, resulting in over a dozen people being burned and 3,000 losing access to heating.
- Despite the urgent need for investment in public utilities, Russia is prioritizing spending on the war in Ukraine, with military expenses accounting for a large portion of the budget.
Additional Coverage:
- Russians are freezing as Soviet-era infrastructure in the country crumbles —and Moscow keeps spending on war (businessinsider.com)
Russia is facing a severe winter with heating systems breaking down, leaving many people freezing. The country’s infrastructure, which dates back to the Soviet era, is in need of modernization. However, instead of investing in public utilities, Russia is prioritizing its spending on the war in Ukraine.
The harsh winter conditions in parts of Russia have been worsened by the poorly maintained infrastructure. Temperatures in Siberia dropped as low as -70 degrees Fahrenheit in December. This has led to numerous breakdowns in central heating systems, even affecting regions near Moscow and the city of St. Petersburg.
One particularly dangerous incident occurred in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, where more than a dozen people were burned when a large heating pipe burst, causing boiling water to flow into the streets. Over 3,000 people lost access to heating due to the damaged pipe.
Russian lawmaker Svetlana Razvorotneva highlighted the issue, stating that about 40% of the country’s communal heating grid urgently needs to be replaced. However, funding for public utilities only accounted for 2.2% of Russia’s total expenditure last year. In contrast, military expenses accounted for approximately 21% of the budget.
Furthermore, Russia plans to increase defense spending to one-third of its budget this year as the war in Ukraine continues. This will likely lead to austerity measures being implemented to address Russia’s budget deficit.
Despite the dissatisfaction with the state of public utilities, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is still expected to win a fifth term in the upcoming presidential election in March. Many people see the situation as a chronic issue rather than a surprise when something breaks.
In summary, Russia is facing a harsh winter with heating system breakdowns due to its outdated infrastructure. The country’s prioritization of military spending over public utilities has exacerbated the situation, and austerity measures may be necessary to address the budget deficit caused by the war in Ukraine.