Heavy snowfall leaves 20,000 without electricity

Emergency teams are racing to repair power lines in the southern region of Volgograd, after they were brought down by heavy snowfall. Some parts of the region have been left without electricity for two days, affecting more than 20,000 people.

Schools and hospitals were forced to switch to emergency backup supplies. 
 
Power has now been slowly restored to most districts, but local authorities have promised work will continue around the clock until everyone's reconnected.