(ROSTOV OBLAST, GUKOVO) – Residents of Gukovo, a town in Russia’s Rostov Oblast, are facing water shortages and heating problems reminiscent of the 1990s. On 19 January 2026, long queues formed as people waited for access to water. The town’s Soviet-era pipes are failing, leaving residents without basic services. Despite the conditions, queues remained orderly, with residents showing patience amid the disruption.
Some households have been without water for four days, prompting concern and frustration among locals. The situation highlights that while the 21st century has arrived in much of the world, some parts of Russia remain trapped in infrastructure challenges that resemble medieval conditions.
Residents of Donetsk are also experiencing conditions similar to those in Gukovo, following Russia’s military interventions in Ukraine. Analysts note that the Russian dictator’s military ventures have contributed indirectly to infrastructure neglect at home.
Outside Rostov, Russia continues to face widespread infrastructure failures. In villages near Chelyabinsk, residents experienced temperatures below -20°C without electricity, water, or heating for extended periods. Such power outages are common during harsh winter conditions, leaving families, including children, vulnerable in freezing homes.
In Moscow, emergency services prioritised the transport of officials while ordinary residents endured prolonged utility failures. Similar problems are reported in Novoshakhtinsk, where children’s hospitals experience intermittent power disruptions.
By contrast, Ukraine shows organised community responses during crises. In Kyiv, despite temperatures around -15 C and Russian strikes affecting electricity, local residents and volunteers set up generators to help vulnerable citizens access pharmacies and essential services.
The ongoing infrastructure challenges in Russian towns like Gukovo demonstrate persistent vulnerabilities in utilities and public services, even decades after the Soviet Union’s collapse.
