Belgorod Governor Orders Investigation into District Heads Following Inadequate Civil Defense Drills

The governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has ordered an investigation into the heads of three districts and their security deputies after finding their performance in civil defense drills unsatisfactory. The probe, which will be conducted by vice-governors, as well as representatives from the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Federal Security Service, will assess the officials’ competence and their handling of drills. Gladkov expressed his disappointment with the lack of proper preparation and the absence of a sense of urgency in light of the region’s proximity to the conflict zone. He pointed to specific shortcomings, such as inadequate supplies of first-aid kits, personal protective equipment, and fire extinguishers, as well as insufficient shelters and communication devices. The investigation could result in sanctions for the officials involved, including the removal of bonuses or disciplinary actions.