Tornado devastates Kushva in Russia: 32 houses destroyed, 16 people injured

A tornado struck the city of Kushva in Russia's Sverdlovsk Oblast on 22 June 2026. The disaster damaged 99 private houses, of which 32 were completely destroyed, and injured 16 people. A state of emergency was declared in the city.

A tornado swept through Russia's Sverdlovsk Oblast on the evening of 22 June 2026, leaving a trail of destruction across several populated areas. The tornado was first spotted in the village of Malaya Laya, where it intensified before moving towards the city of Kushva.

Kushva hardest hit

In Kushva, home to approximately 27,000 residents, 99 private houses were damaged, with 32 of them completely destroyed, according to Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry. Sixteen people were injured, with one person admitted to a hospital in Nizhny Tagil with a fracture.

The tornado caused damage to power lines, cutting off electricity to thousands of consumers. Water supply was also disrupted. As a precaution, gas pipeline operations in the city were halted.

State of emergency and assistance for residents

A state of emergency was declared in Kushva, and a temporary accommodation centre was opened for evacuated residents. Local community groups called on residents to participate in street cleaning efforts, as municipal services cannot cope with the situation alone.

Meteorologists warn that similar natural disasters could occur in other regions where they are not traditionally common. Scientists attribute this to the increasing frequency of extreme atmospheric processes, which are making thunderstorms more powerful and intensifying wind gusts and heavy rainfall.