Ridder TPP Incident Survivor Says Promised Support Never Came

Reserve National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Alexey Suvarovsky lost his fingers in an explosion at the Ridder Thermal Power Plant. Some time later, he recorded a video message saying he never received the assistance promised by the state or the plant’s management, Orda.kz reports.

The accident occurred on December 21, 2024. Officials initially described it as a “bang,” though in reality it was an explosion. The regional akimat classified it as an “emergency,” and journalists were asked to delete footage showing severely burned workers.

Six people were injured in total. At the time, regional akim Yermek Kosherbayev — now Deputy Prime Minister — promised comprehensive support.

According to Suvarovsky, those promises were never fulfilled.

The main impact of the explosion wave fell on me. I was in an open area and received the highest percentage of burns. Today, my left hand no longer functions at all, my right hand partially. The tendons and phalanges of my fingers were burned. I had to have skin transplants. I need more operations... I had all my special clothing on, but nothing can save you in an explosion like that. Coal dust exploded. Gloves, helmet, pea coat, jacket – everything melted along with my skin and flesh, he said.

Suvarovsky said only his colleagues helped him financially.

His disability is now estimated at 70–80%. He and his family continue to live in a service apartment, facing a long rehabilitation.

The regional leadership, the thermal power plant and the company where I worked promised qualified medical care. The akim (Kosherbayev – editor’s note) of EKR and the akim of Ridder visited us in the intensive care unit. They promised that we would be taken to the Oskemen hospital, provided with a ward and the necessary treatment, Alexey added.

In his video, Suvarovsky also showed footage from the hospital ward. His wife complained that she had to buy burn ointment herself and that cockroaches were crawling through the rooms.

He noted that a relative who filmed the first minutes after the accident came under pressure. The man’s phone was confiscated, and he later had to apologize for publishing the video.

An administrative case was even opened against him. I would like this to be brought to attention. And for such emergencies to be prevented in the future. For the victims to always receive assistance and for what happened not to be forgotten. Because we did this not for ourselves, but for the people.

Suvarovsky ended his address with an appeal:

Original Author: Elena Medvedeva