Severe weather swept across several regions, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity and disrupting daily life. In the Rostov and Pskov regions as well as Dagestan, along with the LPR and DPR, more than 400,000 people faced power outages. The information was provided by the Telegram channel of the Russian Ministry of Energy, which has been closely monitoring the unfolding situation. The outages stemmed from a confluence of adverse conditions including heavy rainfall, snow, freezing rain, and ice formation. By 11:00 Moscow time on December 13, the scale of the impact had already reached this broad geographic footprint, underscoring the harsh realities of winter weather on critical infrastructure and public services across multiple communities. The ministry stressed that the restoration process would be conducted under heightened supervision, reflecting the priority given to restoring power with minimal delay while maintaining safety across sites. The emphasis extended beyond household outages to ensure that energy supply for socially important facilities and life-support systems remained under targeted oversight, underscoring the protection of vulnerable populations during extreme weather events.
Earlier updates indicated that the Rostov Region, under the leadership of Governor Vasily Golubev, faced an especially stark situation with around 180,000 residents affected by freezing rain. This specific weather phenomenon creates dangerous road conditions, complicates repair efforts, and increases the risk of additional outages as ice accumulates on power lines and equipment. In response, utility crews coordinately deployed across affected districts, prioritizing critical feeders and substations that supply hospitals, water treatment facilities, and heat networks. The broader regional response included dispatching additional crews, mobilizing emergency resources, and coordinating with local authorities to provide shelter, heating points, and essential services for residents temporarily cut off from power. The focus remained on rapid assessment, safe operation, and transparent communication with communities about estimated timelines for service resumption.
Complicating the scenario, a fault on a high-voltage line in the Aksai region interrupted service to about 200 residences and affected several public institutions. The disruption extended to seven schools, four kindergartens, and three boiler rooms that collectively supplied heat to around 147 apartment buildings. The outage highlighted how a single infrastructure fault can cascade through community heat networks and residential blocks, especially in colder months when heating demand peaks. Crews worked to isolate the fault, reconfigure feeds, and restore heating and electricity with careful coordination to prevent further equipment damage. Local authorities maintained open channels to inform residents about safety considerations, alternative heating arrangements, and anticipated restoration milestones as teams progressed with repairs. The event demonstrated the intertwined nature of electrical and heating systems and the need for resilient interconnections to withstand weather-induced incidents.
In a separate development, reports from Omsk described an individual injuring themselves after slipping on icy surfaces at Pulkovo, leading to a legal action seeking compensation of 400,000 rubles. This incident underscores how winter conditions can translate into personal harm and legal challenges, reinforcing the importance of safety protocols and risk mitigation for both public spaces and commercial or transportation facilities during periods of severe cold and ice. The broader narrative from these events is a reminder that weather-related outages are not merely a technical problem; they touch on public safety, municipal planning, and the resilience of communities as they navigate the challenges posed by the cold season. Authorities continued to stress the imperative of prompt restoration coupled with careful, safety-first operations to minimize further disruption and to safeguard the well-being of residents as the weather eventually moderation advances across regions.