In the Rostov region, a heavy snowstorm has created a critical situation on the M-4 Don highway, where many travelers are stranded with dwindling supplies of gasoline, food, and essential medical care. Reports from on-the-ground observers describe a convoy of stalled vehicles stretching for miles, turning a busy route into a tense waiting area for those caught in the gridlock.
A Telegram channel reported a distressing scene where one man in the line of vehicles began to bleed openly. He identified himself as a soldier who had suffered the loss of a leg in a mine explosion and was receiving aid as best as possible under the circumstances. The account underscored the immediacy of medical needs among people trapped by the jam and highlighted the dangers of delayed care for serious injuries and medical conditions.
The convoy was reportedly moving in the direction from Nizhny Novgorod toward the LPR following a military operation. Eyewitnesses said that three ambulances had already passed through the area, while operators at emergency dispatch centers were reportedly frustrated by the frequency of disrupted calls and the reliability of the lines being used to report new needs from the scene.
Inside the traffic cluster, other residents and travelers faced urgent medical challenges. Some individuals experienced sudden drops in blood sugar, while others battled spikes in blood pressure, creating a broad spectrum of medical emergencies that required rapid response and continuous monitoring while people waited for clearance to move or to be evacuated.
Emergency services have responded with large-scale action. More than 105 specialized rescue vehicles and 166 rescuers were deployed in the region, and additional brigades were being dispatched to reinforce the efforts. The goal remained clear: stabilize the most pressing cases, reestablish communication with the stranded, and widen the network of support for those who could be evacuated safely when the roadway reopened.
The Rostov region has endured nearly a full day of heavy snowfall, a weather pattern that has paralyzed parts of the M-4 Don and left an extensive 75-kilometer stretch effectively shut down. In response, temporary heating points have been established along the highway to provide warmth and shelter for people stuck in traffic that extended up to about 50 kilometers. The disruption has cascaded beyond the highway itself; thousands of residents in nearby areas found themselves without electricity, and several counties, along with the city of Shakhty, declared emergency measures to coordinate relief and restore critical services. Long-distance trains servicing Rostov-on-Don also experienced delays, compounding the region’s transportation crisis as officials warned travelers to postpone nonessential travel and to heed public advisories rather than attempting risky cross-country routes in similar conditions. The governor highlighted that weather forecasts remain discouraging, signaling the likelihood of continued precipitation and freezing conditions in the near term. Traffic police urged motorists to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary, emphasizing patience, proper vehicle readiness, and adherence to safety advisories as the most reliable means to navigate the storm while aid operations continued to unfold in real time.