Yakutsk residents face gas and heating crisis amid equipment replacement demands

Residents of Borisovka-1 in Yakutsk are facing possible gas and hot water shutoffs after Sakhatransneftegaz JSC ordered the replacement of ageing gas equipment and boilers. The situation has sparked concerns over heating, maintenance costs, and the safety of the buildings themselves. Local authorities and officials are now stepping in to investigate the issue. The crisis began when Sakhatransneftegaz demanded that the gas boilers and equipment in Borisovka-1 be replaced. Residents fear losing heating and hot water, as their supply relies entirely on gas-powered systems. A recent expert review, however, found that the existing equipment could last until 2031 with only minor repairs.

Management company Voskhozhdenie has shifted the financial burden of replacements onto residents rather than pursuing subsidies. Alexander Severyanov, a Yakutsk City Duma deputy, has questioned where the 6 million rubles collected for maintenance over three years has gone. He has also appealed to the State Housing Inspectorate for a recalculation of fees, though no changes have been made so far. The condition of the buildings has raised further alarms. Severyanov argues that the 'Canadian-style' prefab homes, poorly maintained by Voskhozhdenie, have deteriorated beyond safe use. Recent gas leaks and pipe failures on the first floors nearly caused carbon monoxide poisoning and left homes at risk of freezing. The Yakutia Prosecutor’s Office has now launched an inspection of the residential buildings. A public meeting next week will bring together Sakhatransneftegaz, Voskhozhdenie, and city officials to discuss the gas supply problems.

The outcome of the upcoming meeting will determine whether residents face prolonged disruptions or find a solution. With inspections underway and funds unaccounted for, the focus remains on securing safe heating and clarifying maintenance responsibilities. The situation highlights the broader challenges of ageing infrastructure and financial oversight in Yakutsk’s housing sector.