Overview
- Five transmission towers fell about 7 km from Murmansk on Jan. 23, cutting electricity and some heating in Murmansk and the closed naval town of Severomorsk.
- The Investigative Committee opened a negligence case, noting a 40-year service life and required inspections for towers built as far back as 1966 and the 1980s.
- Repair crews from state operator Rosseti have restored two of the five towers but are awaiting replacement structures and battling severe weather.
- Outages continue in parts of both cities, with officials opening aid centers, distributing food and water, and making public transport free until power returns.
- Northern Fleet ships in Severomorsk switched to autonomous power to reduce load on the grid, and forecasters warn temperatures could fall to −28°C.