Transcript of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are having more extreme weather with gusty winds and ice that is four times thicker than the usual for this region. As a result, we are having significant problems with the supply of power – 412,000 people were left without electricity, according to the information I have as of 3 p.m. At 6 p.m., 121,500 people remained without electricity, and that is still a significant number. I would like to point out that at noon there were 258 social facilities without electricity, and there are currently 57 of them. I want to know how work is being carried out to normalise the situation at these socially significant facilities, which include nursing homes, outpatient clinics, hospitals and so on.

We have also faced serious problems at railways in the Moscow, Vladimir, Tver, Smolensk, Ryazan and Bryansk Regions – 200 commuter trains and 52 long-distance trains have been delayed. I know that a major effort was put into this and I'd like those responsible to report on it. As for airports, Domodedovo Airport is almost shut down and Sheremetyevo is operating erratically.

Sergei Shoigu: Mr Putin, the numbers you cited are correct. Today, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., we have managed to restore electricity to 290,000 people, which means 32,000 homes in 830 communities. As for the 57 social facilities that are still disconnected from the electricity grid, they all are being powered by backup systems. Following your instructions after the events in 2004, all facilities like this have been equipped with such backup power systems.

Vladimir Putin: Have you verified this?

Sergei Shoigu: Yes, we have checked all of them. We are now making additional verifications considering the worsening weather conditions, Mr Putin. We are not only checking these facilities but we are also double and triple checking the communities that we reconnected to electricity grids.

Vladimir Putin: Good, thank you. What about the railways?

Igor Levitin: Mr Putin, electricity went out at 5:51 a.m., and it was cut off at 27 traction substations. As of 6 p.m., power has been restored almost at all railway sections except for a section of the Gorky railway line. The Russian Railways company has been using diesel locomotives at these sections today. We are cooperating with the company, and it is doing everything possible to make the customers feel like they are being taken care of. The longest delay so far has been six hours. There are currently no disruptions in service.

Vladimir Putin: Mr Shoigu, if necessary, your ministry will have to step in because weather conditions are not improving, unfortunately. And if trains are stalled, prompt measures need to be taken to provide people with food, heat and so on. If necessary, we will have to evacuate people.

Sergei Shoigu: All our reserves are on alert, Mr Putin. Together with the Ministry of Energy we have deployed 2,000 people and almost 700 pieces of equipment. We have alerted all our reserves and rescue centres so we are ready to accomplish this task – to evacuate people and to provide food and health services to those who get trapped on trains.

Vladimir Putin: What about airports?

Igor Levitin: The situation is as follows. The most difficult situation is now at Domodedovo Airport, where the central power supply failed at 10 a.m. The airport switched over to an independent power supply. Currently, the airport is almost shut down and the central power supply has not been restored yet. Over 8,000 people are currently at this airport. The airport operator is recommending that passengers that are supposed to fly today do not come to the airport until power is restored and the flight schedule is in order. Meanwhile, 33 flights have landed at backup airports. So, we are waiting for the central power supply to be restored.

Vladimir Putin: What about Sheremetyevo Airport?

Igor Levitin: Sheremetyevo has been operating with certain irregularities but all arrivals are on schedule. There have been some weather-related problems with departures. There is some concern over deicing fluids because airplanes currently need almost twice as much as usual. Let me cite an example: Sheremetyevo usually uses 40 tonnes of these fluids per day and now it needs up to 80 tonnes. So, airplanes are being coated with deicing fluids. This also increases the servicing time for each airplane. The flight schedule through early tomorrow has been drafted so Aeroflot is starting to give out flight information to passengers.

At Vnukovo Airport, 15 flights have been delayed but, all in all, this airport is operating without major irregularities.

Vladimir Putin: So, 8,000 people here, 6,000 there...

Remark: It's a large number.

Vladimir Putin: This is a large number of people. Aeroflot and all other airlines need to make every effort to support people. The main thing is to keep them informed, in a timely manner.

Let's discuss electricity.

Sergei Shmatko: Mr Putin, due to the deteriorating weather in Moscow, the Moscow Region faced major blackouts late yesterday. I would like to point out that the main causes were the large number of fallen trees and the failure of power lines because of ice.

You said correctly that ice is three to four times thicker than usual... First, this has never happened before in this region. Second, it exceeds all the expected conditions for power grids...

Vladimir Putin: Is this when ice sticks to power lines?

Sergei Shmatko: Yes, it is when ice sticks to the power lines. There are special standards as to the thickness of the ice based on the diameter of the lines. What we currently have exceeds the expected norm for this region by almost three to four times.

However, following the storm warning the Emergencies Ministry gave us, we have formed special teams. So, today there are about 1,300 technicians out working. In the afternoon we also deployed response teams from other regions. We have identified the causes of all the power failures we know of. Nevertheless, considering the deteriorating weather conditions, we have built up personnel reserves for tomorrow morning so that our main teams can check power grids to repair line ruptures.

Let me say a few words about Domodedovo Airport, our main issue. Usually, the airport is powered by three lines. Two of them are now in very bad condition – trees keep falling. However, we have cleared one line and – as I just learned – have connected it manually to the Khomutovo substation. So, the airport will begin receiving electricity through this line in an hour or an hour and a half.

I would also like to mention that we have coordinated our work with Russian Railways to reconnect traction substations. It is worth noting that in the afternoon we also tackled all issues in the western part of the region – there were traffic disruptions on the Smolensk line – and we plan to resolve all issues in the eastern part – from Moscow to Ryazan – within 24 hours. So, power to the railways will be restored.

We are taking every measure necessary to provide warm food and other things to the workers. It is worth mentioning that we have already faced similar situations this winter in Tatarstan and the Volga region. Regional leaders have reported to you on that. These are new circumstances [of an unprecedented scale] for us; this is why, following this work, we will make systemic conclusions both on amendments needed to change design standards and on training specialists.

Vladimir Putin: Unfortunately, the weather forecast is unfavourable and weather conditions are even expected to worsen. So it is clear that not everything depends on us, but everything that does depend on us must be done. I want to request that all services be on alert and that you mobilise all your divisions so that we can promptly respond to new incidents. I'm referring not only to the need to restore power, train traffic and regular services at airports as soon as possible but also our response to the potential deterioration of the situation. It is clear that the situation may improve at one site, but given the weather forecast, it may worsen at other sites. We need to bear this in mind and do our best to create the most comfortable conditions for people involved in the relief efforts. As was said before, they should receive warm food and the chance to rest, and we naturally need to think of replacement crews. It is clear that the number of people is limited, but there are available reserves. Think about this.