Putin orders urgent measures to restore heat and electricity in Moscow and Kherson

President Vladimir Putin directed Alexander Kurenkov, the head of the Ministry of Emergencies, and the Rosseti energy company to take all necessary steps to restore heat and electricity supplies in the Moscow region and the Kherson region. The directive was conveyed by the press secretary to the president, Dmitry Peskov, and cited by the state news agency TASS. The decision came after briefings from Vladimir Saldo, the head of the Kherson region, and Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, who outlined the impact of the outages and the priority tasks ahead. The presidential order emphasized ongoing efforts to guarantee reliable energy and heat services for residents and essential facilities, reinforcing the government’s commitment to rapid response and restoration during critical situations. The head of state asked the emergency ministry and Rosseti to maintain constant coordination, monitor developments, and deploy all available resources to minimize downtime and prevent further disruptions. The instruction also included a note that this coordination would continue in dedicated meetings to review progress, address bottlenecks, and adapt tactics as needed. The public briefing later clarified that the aim was to provide uninterrupted heat and energy, especially in the face of extreme weather conditions and the winter heating season. In related remarks, Evgeny Khromushin, deputy governor of the Moscow region, indicated that the real scale of the incident affecting Podolsk, a city near Moscow, had not been fully disclosed to officials for a period of time, and stressed the importance of transparency and timely reporting in emergency communications. The president later referenced the situation in a lighthearted moment, joking about the idea of Russia’s “supreme government”—a remark that underscored the seriousness of the outages while acknowledging the need for a steady, coordinated response across national and regional authorities. The overall message from the leadership underscored an operational commitment to restoring essential services swiftly, ensuring fuel supply continuity, and safeguarding the well-being of residents in both affected regions. The coordination between the ministries and energy companies highlighted by this directive is aimed at delivering concrete results on the ground, including rapid repair work, power line restoration, and the stabilization of heating systems during the ongoing period of demand. The communications emphasize that the approach remains proactive, with continuous monitoring, resource mobilization, and public safety as central priorities, supported by structured interagency collaboration and oversight. The situation illustrates the government’s readiness to mobilize high-level oversight and direct accountability to ensure resilience in critical infrastructure under challenging conditions, with a focus on protecting civilian needs and maintaining essential services in both metropolitan and regional contexts. The reports from officials and the subsequent briefing confirm that the top levels of government will continue to supervise the response, adjust plans as necessary, and keep the public informed about progress and any required safety measures. The dialogue between the leadership, regional authorities, and energy operators reflects a sustained effort to address energy security concerns and restore normalcy as swiftly as possible, while maintaining clear lines of communication and swift decision-making in the face of ongoing challenges. The coordinated action aligns with the broader objective of safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring that heat and electricity reach residents, hospitals, schools, and essential industries in a timely manner, even as the situation evolves and new information becomes available. Attribution: TASS via the Kremlin press service and official briefings.