Russia is experiencing a significant issue with its heating systems, with many breaking down in the harsh winter conditions. This has caused widespread problems, leaving many people freezing in their homes.
The harsh winter, including temperatures as low as -70 degrees Fahrenheit, has exacerbated the issues with Russia’s infrastructure, much of which dates back to the Soviet era. As a result, this has caused a number of breakdowns in central heating systems, even affecting major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The situation came to a head when a large heating pipe burst in Nizhny Novgorod, leading to a number of people suffering from burns and over 3,000 people losing access to heating.
Despite these issues, Russia’s spending on public utilities remains low, making up just 2.2% of the country’s total expenditure. In contrast, Moscow’s spending on military expenses made up about 21% of Russia’s budget in the same year.
Russia is also expected to allocate one-third of its budget to defense spending, as the war in Ukraine looks set to enter its third year. Despite these priorities and ongoing issues, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is still expected to win a fifth term in the upcoming presidential election.
While people are dissatisfied with the state of public utilities, there is a sense that these problems are a chronic issue that is not being adequately addressed.
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