Voronezh weekly: sambo athlete's death, stray dogs, and blackouts
This week, the Voronezh1.ru editorial team covered issues that affect everyone: from safety on the streets and in maternity hospitals to basic living conditions. If you missed our main materials—now is the time to catch up. We have gathered the key stories for you.
Disabled man«s fall on an iced-over ramp
At the beginning of the week, Voronezh1.ru reported the story of wheelchair user Vitaly, who fell from his wheelchair due to an iced-over ramp and broke both legs. He blames solely the management company for not clearing the ramp in time. The Investigative Committee, by the way, after our publication opened a criminal case.
We also sent a request to the regional Ministry of Health after Vitaly said that he has long been unable to access his local clinic because there is no ramp for wheelchairs. In response, we were told that a ramp exists, but it turns out it leads to a staircase.
Psychologist on burnout among medical staff and obstetric violence
Continuing the topic of the tragedy at the maternity hospital in Novokuznetsk, we spoke with a perinatal psychologist about where obstetric violence comes from and how to deal with it. Lydia Kvasova explains that the reasons lie in burnout among medical staff and the unpreparedness of the women giving birth. Protection from psychological violence can be achieved through partner or contract births, as well as by preparing in advance. If trauma already exists—it is important to consult a specialist and not give up on the dream of a second child.
Son of Federal Tax Service official in pre-trial detention
The story of the son of a Federal Tax Service (FTS) official continued; he fled after a fatal car accident in which his acquaintance, a girl, died. Anton Gusev was extradited to Russia and brought to the Kominternovsky Court in Voronezh in handcuffs and under escort. There, the man«s pre-trial detention was extended.
Stray dogs and threats
Residents of the SNT «Shinnik-1» garden partnership live in fear due to packs of stray dogs. Local activist Andrey Shabunin is fighting for the safety of his family and neighbors, but instead of help he receives threats.
Videos he collected show aggressive packs, and the animals« »guardian« Lyudmila openly states that she loves dogs more than people. Officials ignore the complaints, and recently, Shabunin was called by a woman who introduced herself as a city hall employee and threatened him with criminal prosecution and a mobilization check.
Life in darkness and cold
Thousands of residents of the Blizhnie and Dalnie Gardens in Voronezh have suffered from rolling blackouts for years—especially during severe frosts and intense heat.
On the territory of 25 garden partnerships, where over 9,000 plots are located, the power goes out regularly. In early January, at -20°C (-4°F), the electricity was cut off twice in three days, once for almost a full day, leaving people without heat in the midst of winter.
Residents are forced to rely on diesel generators and heat guns. The reason is worn-out networks that haven«t been repaired for decades. A Voronezh1.ru correspondent traveled to the Gardens and personally spoke with residents.
Young sportswoman found dead
In Voronezh, 18-year-old sportswoman Alexandra Lalachkina was found dead, three days after she went missing. The girl was a promising sambo athlete, a candidate for master of sports.
Alexandra went missing on the evening of January 22 after training. She left Yamnoye in a dark-blue Mercedes but did not return home. Searches by volunteers from LizaAlert led to the Pridonsky district, where her car was found on January 24. The girl«s body was discovered later, closer to evening. The circumstances and cause of death have not been disclosed yet. More about the athlete can be read here.
