Overview
- Governor Vladimir Solodov declared a state of emergency on January 16 and labeled conditions “critical” on January 19, citing impassable arterial roads.
- Dozens of heavy machines worked overnight January 18–19, removing more than 2,500 cubic meters of snow as authorities scale up clearance operations.
- Public transport was suspended, schools were closed, and sirens urged residents to stay home as towns dug trenches and access tunnels through several meters of snow.
- AFP verified that several viral videos showing building-high snowbanks and sledding scenes were generated by AI, though authentic footage also documents severe drifts.
- Local authorities reported two deaths on January 15 from a roof snow collapse, underscoring ongoing risks as crews push to reopen key routes.