Overview
- Rescuers report 30,500 square meters of the river have been surveyed, with 50 large ice openings and 3,050 holes drilled over a week of operations.
- Teams continue a methodical search for the missing schoolchildren after an eyewitness reported on January 20 that two minors fell through the ice.
- Authorities describe strong currents, debris on the riverbed, slush, and near-zero visibility, forcing divers to work largely by touch.
- Orlov region divers completed seven dives covering about 955 square meters and are not slated to continue in Bryansk, with any further involvement contingent on interregional agreements.
- Remote-operated underwater vehicles were deployed by teams from St. Petersburg and the Noginsk rescue center, while support units cut ice and maintained warming and hot meal stations; a negligence case under Article 109 Part 3 has been opened.