In Russia, December 27 is Rescue Day. On the eve of the professional holiday, the Minister of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Disaster Relief of Russia, Alexander Kurenkov, answered questions from Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Work in a special activity
Alexander Vyacheslavovich, How and how has the Ministry of Emergency Situations changed over the years since the creation of the SVO?
Alexander Kurenkov: Under all conditions, personnel are ready to fulfill the tasks set by the state, protecting people and territories from natural and man-made dangers. In the context of a special military operation, our pyrotechnicians will clear the territory of new and border areas so that residents can return to normal life as quickly as possible. We help improve your life. Builders come to us and believe in the future.
What new, even hypothetical, risks and threats are noted by forecasters and analysts of the Ministry of Emergencies?
Alexander Kurenkov: The main threats and risks, the changes that cause concern and the need to take additional measures, are related to global climate change. Dangerous natural phenomena occur in areas where they have not been observed before. This requires us to make more efforts and prepare to respond to emergencies.
The US is about to resume nuclear testing. What new types of protective measures against nuclear threats can be devised by inventors and scientists of the All-Russian Research Institute of civil defense and emergency situations?
Alexander Kurenkov: The Russian Ministry of Emergencies is constantly working to improve methods of protection against various dangers, including those related to radiation. Methods for calculating possible scenarios are being improved, helping to effectively plan emergency rescue operations in affected areas. New models of gas masks are being developed to provide complete respiratory protection from all radioactive and chemical substances. New approaches to evacuate people early and urgently from radioactively contaminated areas are being applied.
Can you advise people in small villages, SNT cooperatives and dachas to buy gas masks, combined arms protection kits (OZK) or even small bunkers just in case?
Alexander Kurenkov: Gas masks and OZK do not protect against penetrating radiation. When in a contaminated area, it is necessary first of all to protect the respiratory organs from radioactive dust entering the lungs. Gas masks and even cotton-gauze bandages can cope with this. At the same time, it is necessary to leave the contaminated area as quickly as possible and when leaving, change clothes and wash the body with soap.
If it is not possible to leave the contaminated area, taking shelter in any concrete structure can be a good protection. For example, the basement of a multi-story residential building can significantly reduce penetrating radiation. Therefore, common property owners must always keep the basement tidy, do not litter and do not block entrances and exits.
What new safety measures – perhaps behind the scenes – are being introduced on the subway? Or perhaps old, half-forgotten civil defense measures and elements from Soviet times are being restored?
Alexander Kurenkov: Metro facilities are fully prepared to take measures to protect people from possible dangers when they arise.
What changes are currently taking place in the field of civil defense? Will the old abandoned protective structures be restored or will the focus only be on new modular structures?
Alexander Kurenkov: Civil defense is a fairly flexible system of measures to protect against any dangers that arise during military conflicts or the use of various types of weapons. In today's conditions, it adapts to existing risks and threats. In areas directly affected by UAV attacks, additional measures are being taken to protect the population. Businesses and organizations provide shelter for employees in protective structures and underground spaces. In their absence, rooms with solid load-bearing walls and no windows can be used as shelters. The Ministry of Emergencies of Russia has developed and communicated recommendations to economic establishments on the protection of fixed productive assets with passive protection measures: nets, cable barriers, reinforced concrete structures and other similar devices.
Information work among the people has also been strengthened. Citizens are provided with reminders on actions to take in the event of a threat from drone, aviation or missile threats. In the Belgorod and Kursk regions as well as the city of Sevastopol, measures have been taken to protect people on the streets. Concrete modular structures have been installed at public transport stops and in public places. They have shown their effectiveness and relevance.
What are some current and new tips for protecting yourself from drones these days?
Alexander Kurenkov: If there is a threat of drone attack, you need to hide in protective structures. If they are not nearby then stay in any room as far away from the window as possible. The best place in the apartment is the bathroom. Do not go near windows under any circumstances. If you are on the road, you need to quickly enter any room. After finishing the attack, do not touch bullets and unexploded objects.
About arresters, breathalyzers and forest fires
What safety measures or advice can the Ministry of Emergency Situations offer to break the trend and wave of deaths from train collisions?
Alexander Kurenkov: The Ministry of Emergencies of Russia continuously carries out a series of measures aimed at developing a culture of safe behavior among children and adolescents, attracting public attention to children's safety issues. We are expanding our interactions with relevant federal ministries, executive agencies of constituent units and the media.
Safety culture is not only knowledge of how to ensure one's own safety, what can be done to help people in difficulty, but also an understanding of the value of human life, a caring and responsible attitude to the surrounding reality and care.
“Safety starts with you” is both a slogan and a philosophy of life. We believe that it is necessary to familiarize children with the terrible consequences of rash actions, talk about today's reality in the context of military threats (mine protection, anti-drone protection), explain that the opinion “it won't happen to me” is wrong and that a little inattention can change everything. Yes, information is difficult and scary; When conducting a conversation, it is important to take into account the age and psychological characteristics of adolescents, but it is also impossible to cover it up.
Safety culture is not only knowing how to help people in difficulty but also understanding the value of human life.
And of course practice. The need for a practical approach to mastering the material on life safety is beyond doubt, because in an emergency situation, theoretical knowledge can be completely insufficient – there are only fixed actions at the reflex level.
For many years, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia has been the initiator of mass practical events for students of educational institutions on safe behavior in everyday life, as well as in the event of threats and occurrence of emergency situations. These are open all-Russian lessons on safety culture (basics of life safety) in educational institutions, the seasonal all-Russian campaign “My Safe Vacation”, the Arctic Safety Week for educational institutions located in the Arctic region of the Russian Federation and competitions for children and adolescents “Safe Schools”.
In the matter of creating a culture of life safety, the coordination of government agencies, the media, educational organizations and families is very important. We believe that it is necessary to develop joint work in the field of life safety, including within the framework of the subject “Basic principles of security and defense of the Fatherland” with the participation of experts from the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia.
What are the first results of the introduction of breathalyzers and the new regulations for inspectors of the State Inspectorate of Small Boats?
Alexander Kurenkov: The ban on driving small boats while drunk and without the appropriate license has been in place for a long time. The Code on Administrative Violations provides for an administrative fine of up to two thousand rubles or deprivation of the right to operate a ship for a maximum period of two years. If the captain refuses a breathalyzer test, a referral for medical examination for intoxication will be drawn up. The captain or other person operating the vessel must undergo a medical examination for intoxication and may also be fined.
Are there statistics on the number of drunk people driving trains?
Alexander Kurenkov: In 2023, 283 violators were fined, in 2024 – 201, in 2025 – 281 violators were fined and two more were deprived of their rights.
What final data on those fined and punished for burning grass and those responsible for forest fires can be compiled during the year?
Alexander Kurenkov: For forest fires, administrative and criminal liability is regulated depending on the severity of the consequences. In 2025, more than 10 thousand violators were administratively responsible for violating fire safety regulations, leading to forest fires as well as the death of dry grass beds. 50 citizens are criminally responsible for forest fires.
And at this moment
A day earlier, the themed train “Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations – 35 years of security protection” started running along the Big Circle Line of the capital's metro.
The Ministry of Emergencies also reported that Alexander Kurenkov got acquainted with the organization of the work of the Unified Coordination Center of the Moscow Metro.
The Minister is interested in the ability of experts to quickly resolve problems that arise in emergency situations. The so-called control circle is responsible for each metro line. Employees can share information instantly. Digital technology allows EDC experts to monitor the operations of the entire metro. They see where a particular train is and how many people are at the station, how traffic lights and escalators work. Some experts monitor the comfortable temperature at the stations and the operation of the ventilation shaft. All together ensure the safe and uninterrupted operation of the capital's metro, which also functions as a shelter
In general, shelters, shelters, underground spaces provide protection to the people of our country. The Ministry of Emergencies noted that work continues in the regions to bring all civil protection structures to standard condition. This work is under the special control of the Ministry. At the same time, abandoned old protective structures that have not lost their protective properties, that is, have not been destroyed or flooded with groundwater, will not be wiped out. If people live near such structures or businesses or institutions that are located, they will be restored and put into operation.
