Krasnodar Residents Protest Amid Record Heat and Power Outages

Krasnodar residents rallied against power outages caused by a grid breakdown amid record-high temperatures. Mayor Evgeny Naumov assured that efforts to restore services are underway. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev cited extreme heat and technical issues at the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant as contributing factors.

Amid record-high temperatures, the southern Russian city of Krasnodar witnessed a rare protest on Saturday as residents voiced their frustration over power outages and water supply disruptions caused by a power grid breakdown. Local residents, exasperated from days without power, rallied close to residential buildings, chanting slogans like 'Give me light,' as videos circulating on social media showed.

The city's mayor, Evgeny Naumov, announced on Saturday that repair efforts are in progress and assured residents that drinking water is being distributed. He urged the public to stay calm and understand the ongoing situation, acknowledging that the circumstances are challenging. Russian state news agency TASS reported that the power outages began on Friday, marking the fourth consecutive day of record-high temperatures.

Friday's highest temperature reached 39 degrees Celsius, according to TASS. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev cited multiple factors contributing to the outages, including the operational status of the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant, the extreme heat, and inadequate capacity during peak load hours. Earlier this week, a technical issue led to the temporary closure of a major unit at the Rostov plant. 'The region has experienced abnormal heat for a week now, placing a colossal load on the energy system,' Governor Kondratyev stated. 'I understand the residents' frustration due to the power outages,' he added.