Support The Moscow Times!

EU Sanctions Force Major Russian Crematorium's Closure

Crematorium in Voronezh. Oleg Kharseev / Kommersant

The only crematorium in central Russia’s breadbasket region has been forced to shut down due to EU sanctions levied over the invasion of Ukraine, local media reported Tuesday.

The crematorium in the city of Voronezh south of Moscow cannot replace its broken Czech-made cremation oven due to EU restrictions on the export of high-tech goods and technology to Russia, according to the 7x7 news website.

Russian specialists and representatives of the Czech cremation equipment provider, Tabo-CS, are now working to repair the oven but do not know how long it will take, according to the Voronezh-based news website De Facto.

The award-winning crematorium was said to be the only such facility in the hyper-fertile Chernozem, or “Black Earth,” region, which encompasses six west-central regions close to the Ukrainian border.

Tabo CS’ website lists dozens of other Russian cities, including St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk, where its cremation equipment has been installed since the late 1990s.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more