Yakutsk's newly paved square collapses after one harsh winter

A newly laid pavement in Yakutsk’s Orjonikidze Square has collapsed after just one winter, forcing emergency repairs. Region-Service, the company responsible, began replacing the crumbling tiles on June 5 following pressure from city officials. The failure has raised serious concerns about the quality of the work and the materials used. The pavement was installed less than a year ago under a 5.5 million ruble contract awarded to Region-Service in autumn 2025. However, the project faced immediate challenges, including freezing temperatures and snow during construction. By the end of winter, large sections had sunk, cracked, or crumbled, leaving dangerous pits and uneven surfaces across the square.

An inspection on June 2 by Felix Antonov, head of Yakutsk’s Central District administration, confirmed extensive defects. Andrei Yadrikhinsky, director of Region-Service, failed to attend the inspection and initially denied any wrongdoing. The company had previously refused to acknowledge the problems but later agreed to warranty repairs after the mayor’s office threatened legal action.

This is not the first time Region-Service has faced such issues. The company previously had to redo repairs at the Eternal Flame memorial in Fallen Fighters Square after it collapsed following winter. Critics, including Irina Alekseeva, Yakutia’s former chief architect, have slammed the project as 'a crime against the city,' citing the use of cheap, substandard tiles.

City hall has warned that if further defects appear, it will push for Region-Service’s inclusion in the register of unreliable suppliers. A second inspection will take place once the new pavement is laid to ensure compliance with standards. The replacement work is now underway, with crews removing damaged tiles and preparing the base for new ones. City officials will continue monitoring the repairs closely, with the threat of formal complaints and blacklisting if the issues persist. The case highlights ongoing concerns about construction quality in Yakutsk’s public spaces.