New Russian region offers sanctuary to Californians
Ordinary Americans whose livelihoods were destroyed by raging wildfires can find shelter in Kherson, according to the governor
The governor of Russia’s Kherson Region, Vladimir Saldo, has extended an offer to shelter Californians displaced by ongoing wildfires, provided they have not supported the Ukrainian military or the government in Kiev.
Wildfires have been raging in Los Angeles County since last week, exacerbated by strong winds and dry conditions. As of January 13, the fires have resulted in at least 24 fatalities, forced nearly 180,000 residents to evacuate, and destroyed or damaged more than 12,300 structures.
“Despite the ongoing, blatantly anti-Russian policy of the United States, we fully understand that natural disasters don’t care who you are or what you do,” Kherson Governor Vladimir Saldo told TASS news agency on Monday.
“The California fires have left many ordinary residents homeless. Therefore, our region is ready to welcome any American citizen who has lost their home and livelihood.”
Saldo offered few specifics, but stated that regional authorities are prepared to provide temporary accommodation for US citizens wishing to relocate to Kherson Region and assist them with obtaining Russian citizenship.
“Naturally, this applies only to those who have not financed the Ukrainian army or supported the current Kiev regime, which has caused far more civilian casualties through its actions than the fires in LA,” Saldo added.
The situation in California remains critical, with firefighting efforts ongoing and communities on high alert due to the unpredictable nature of the fires and weather conditions. High winds, forecast to reach up to 112 km per hour this week, pose additional risks of intensifying existing fires and igniting new ones.
Power outages and water shortages have compounded hardships for evacuees, with multiple reports of looting contributing to the chaos. Authorities have implemented curfews to prevent further incidents and are urging residents to remain vigilant. The economic losses from the fires have reached $200 billion, according to some estimates.
President Joe Biden has approved a Major Disaster Declaration, while California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, describing the fires as the worst natural disaster in US history.
Efforts to combat the blazes involve over 14,000 personnel, including members of the National Guard, as well as the deployment of firefighting aircraft. The federal government is set to cover firefighting costs for 180 days, and there are calls for further congressional funding to aid in rebuilding efforts.
President-elect Donald Trump has criticized Newsom’s handling of the fires, accusing him of prioritizing environmental concerns over firefighting.
