Eleven vehicles collided on the Shchelkovskoye Highway in Moscow after ice formed on the roadway. The incident occurred during a cold spell that left stretches of pavement slick and braking distances suddenly longer. The Mash Telegram channel, known for real-time traffic updates, reported the crash as it unfolded across several lanes. Responders arrived quickly, and crews began clearing debris and spreading sand to restore traction. Authorities emphasized that the weather conditions were a key factor and urged drivers to slow down and maintain safe distances as roads were treated and monitored by municipal services. While emergency teams worked, no fatalities were confirmed at the scene and the situation was being assessed for potential secondary incidents.
Another incident on Bolshaya Cherkizovskaya Street in Moscow involved eleven vehicles as heavy ice coated the road surface. Witnesses described a chain of impacts that disrupted traffic along the corridor. Mash stated that none of the participants sustained injuries, but emergency crews remained on scene to assist anyone who might have been affected and to determine if any vehicles required towing. Road monitors coordinated with police to manage flow, while maintenance teams sprayed grit and salt in hopes of preventing further slides. Drivers were advised to use alternate routes and to expect delays as the clearing operation continued.
Investigators have begun examining the causes of the Moscow crashes. Police and traffic officials are reviewing speed patterns, following distances, lighting conditions, and the timing of weather changes that contributed to the slick pavement. Dashcam footage from several vehicles and surveillance records are being analyzed, alongside weather observations from nearby stations. Maintenance crews will report on salt distribution and any recent roadworks that could have affected grip. The objective is to determine whether the incidents resulted from road conditions alone or if driver choices, vehicle status, or other factors played a role.
The disruption extended for about 2.2 kilometers in the area, where vehicles lined up and traffic slowed to a crawl. Police directed travelers toward alternate routes, and many drivers chose to wait out the worst of the slick patches in safer neighborhoods. The city’s transport agency posted advisories urging caution and reminding motorists that icy weather can change quickly. In cities across the region, similar conditions have produced a series of minor crashes, with road crews working through the night to apply salt, sand, and anti-slip materials. While crews cleaned the lanes, motorists were warned to limit speed and increase following distance to reduce the risk of further collisions.
In the Saratov region, a deadly crash involving a bus and five cars occurred on Ordzhonikidze Street in Balashov. The collision involved an Audi, two Lada Priora, a Lada Vesta, and a Renault Logan, according to the regional traffic police. The incident prompted emergency medical teams to respond and quickly transport at least one injured person to a hospital for treatment. Investigators noted that the scene required careful coordination to detach damaged vehicles and secure the roadway. Authorities urged residents and visitors to avoid the area while responders provided support to those affected and collected evidence to determine the precise sequence of events.
The Balashov investigation highlighted how crowded urban streets can complicate response efforts during icy weather. Officials described how multiple vehicle interactions in a short span can create cascading delays and additional hazards for drivers. The included Audi with two Priora units, the bus, a Lada Vesta, and a Renault Logan painted a picture of a busy, disrupted intersection. Police emphasized the need for cautious driving, especially on side streets and entry ramps where ice tends to accumulate. Road safety crews continued to monitor the area, ready to assist onlookers and ensure traffic could be rerouted without compromising the safety of responders on site.
One injured person was injured, a man driving a Lada Priora, transported to a hospital for treatment and kept under observation as responders secured the scene.
Earlier in Moscow, a driver crashed into a barrier and the moment being captured on video. The footage circulated on social media and prompted discussions about the dangers presented by icy roads during winter conditions. Officials reminded drivers to slow down, use headlights in poor visibility, and keep a safe distance behind other vehicles. The overall situation across the region underscores how quickly ice can transform road conditions and how important it is for motorists to adjust speed, spacing, and vigilance.