Russia’s Leningrad region to form mobile firefighting units using reservists

Authorities in Russia’s Leningrad region plan to establish additional mobile firefighting teams to protect critical infrastructure, according to an announcement by regional governor Alexander Drozdenko.

Drozdenko said the new units will be stationed at enterprises and organisations that operate key infrastructure facilities. The initiative includes recruiting reservists, who will be offered three-year contracts to join the firefighting teams, Caliber.Az reports. 

Under the proposal, these reservists will also be formally employed by the same critical infrastructure enterprises they are tasked with protecting. Authorities say this dual role is intended to strengthen on-site emergency response capacity.

The newly formed units will operate under the authority of the 6th Guards Army of the Air Force and Air Defence, as well as other military formations based in the region.

Regional officials, along with infrastructure operators, will be responsible for funding the acquisition of vehicles and equipment required to establish and maintain the firefighting teams.

By Sabina Mammadli