Alexander Gusev, the governor of Voronezh Oblast, said in an interview with three regional media outlets that the authorities are "physically unable" to repair bomb shelters in the basements of all 4,000 apartment buildings in the region.
"People should proactively organize themselves, reach out to management companies for repairs, and in some cases, perhaps, handle it independently," the governor said.
Voronezh Oblast regularly issues warnings of airstrikes and missile threats. During a drone strike on August 24, two people were injured. In the past month, ammunition depots in the Ostrogozhsky District of Voronezh Oblast were attacked twice.
In July, Kursk Mayor Igor Kutsak similarly urged residents to "bring [bomb shelters] in order" in response to complaints about the poor condition of basements and the inaction of management companies.