Russia: Utility Cuts Power To Naval Units In Far East

Vladivostok, Russia; 25 April 2002 (RFE/RL -- A local power company today began cutting off electricity to military installations in Russia's Far East over unpaid bills. The Dalenergo company said in a statement that the power cuts will affect a number of nonstrategic facilities and a military airfield around the Pacific port city of Vladivostok. It said the cuts will be extended until the Pacific Fleet pays its debts. Dalenergo says the Pacific Fleet owes it over $3 million.

Dalenergo is a subsidiary of Russia's giant United Energy Systems (EES) utility company. The EES already in January cut off power to military bases and installations across Russia to make the military pay its debts.