Russian villagers appeal to Pope for help over decade-long toad neglect

Residents of the village of Boriskino in Russia’s Chishminsky district have appealed to Pope Leo XIV for assistance in repairing a severely damaged road, after a decade of unsuccessful attempts to secure action from local authorities.

The appeal was shared in a video published by the Telegram channel “Chestniy reportage,” in which villagers say repeated complaints to regional officials over the past ten years have failed to produce even basic repairs such as gravel surfacing, Caliber.Az reports.

“We’ve been writing to every authority for ten years, but to no avail,” residents say in the recording, explaining their decision to seek international attention, including reaching out to the Vatican.

According to the villagers, the deteriorating road has created serious safety risks. They report that vehicles frequently become stuck in mud during rainy weather, ambulances struggle to reach the settlement, and school transport services operate under difficult conditions.

In addition to their appeal to the Pope, residents have also submitted a formal complaint to Alexander Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, calling for intervention in the matter.

Boriskino is a small rural settlement with a population of around 100 people. It is located approximately 18 kilometres from the nearest railway station in Yumatovo and 41 kilometres from the district administrative centre of Chishma.

By Sabina Mammadli