Putin Criticizes Ministers Over Moscow Airport Mess

Passengers crowd in front of a flight board at the departure hall of Moscow's Domodedovo Airport on December 28.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has banned all cabinet ministers responsible for Moscow's airports from taking a New Year's holiday after flight delays left thousands stranded.

The Russian leader admonished the ministers at a government meeting in Moscow today.

"Of course, the situation is difficult and not everything depends on us, but we should not whine about it," Putin said. "Everyone needs to work."

His comments come a day after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev asked prosecutors to review operations at Moscow's Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports, where freezing weather and power outages disrupted over 200 flights in the last four days.

Frustrated passengers to stage protests in some airport terminals, complaining of irregular water supply in airport bathrooms, power outages, and a lack of ventilation.

compiled from agency reports