Skip to content
Русский

← Fire at the Winter Cherry shopping centre in Kemerovo

Timeline: Fire at the Winter Cherry shopping centre in Kemerovo

73 entries, 25 Mar 2018 to 4 Mar 2025. Statements, decisions, inspections, criminal cases and verdicts, money and memorials, each with its source and archive copy.

Quotes on this page are our translations from Russian; each original is in its source's archive copy and on the Russian page. Russian page

2018

  1. 25 Mar 2018, 14:18 Moscow timeCriminal case. Investigative Committee of Russia: The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case over the fire.
    “A criminal case has been opened over the fire that caused loss of life at a shopping centre in Kemerovo”
    Следственный комитет России, archive copy
  2. 25 Mar 2018Statement. A spokesperson for the Investigative Committee's Kemerovo office: The regional Investigative Committee office told TASS of four dead and about 20 injured.
    “Dead at the scene: three children, I can't say their ages yet, and one woman”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  3. 25 Mar 2018, 19:08 Moscow timeStatement. Ministry of Emergencies: The Ministry of Emergencies did not confirm reports of visitors left inside the burning building.
    “Earlier, social media posts said several visitors were in a toilet on one of the floors of the burning building. The Ministry of Emergencies did not confirm this.”
    Российская газета, archive copy
  4. 25 Mar 2018, 19:16 Moscow timeStatement. Rinat Enikeev, Chief State Fire Inspector of Russia: The ministry's chief fire inspector said why the centre had not been inspected.
    “The ministry's chief state fire inspector Rinat Enikeev said the centre had not been inspected by the fire authorities because it was a small business, covered by the moratorium on inspections.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  5. 25 Mar 2018, 19:22 Moscow timeMedia. TASS, citing a source in the emergency services: TASS, citing an anonymous source, named a possible cause of the fire.
    “A source in the emergency services said a foam ball caught fire under a child in the play room. It is not ruled out that this happened because of children playing with fire, he said.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  6. 25 Mar 2018, 19:45 Moscow timeInstruction. Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee: Bastrykin moved the case to the Committee's headquarters and ordered an assessment of the owners, tenants and inspectors.
    “not only among the owners and tenants but also among the officials of the supervisory bodies whose duties include detecting fire-safety violations at the site”
    Следственный комитет России, archive copy
  7. 25 Mar 2018, 20:00 Moscow timeInstruction. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: The President was briefed on the fire and told the Emergencies Minister to fly to Kemerovo.
    “Vladimir Putin instructed the head of the Ministry of Emergencies to fly to the scene of the tragedy at once and take every measure needed to mobilise forces and resources.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  8. 26 Mar 2018, 00:07 Moscow timeReport. The Kemerovo region's emergency headquarters: The emergency headquarters reported 37 dead.
    “According to the emergency headquarters' preliminary data, 37 are known to have died and more than 40 people sought medical help. The fate of several dozen more people remains unknown.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  9. 26 Mar 2018, 07:10 Moscow timeReport. Svetlana Petrenko, Investigative Committee spokesperson: The Investigative Committee confirmed 56 deaths.
    “The investigation of the criminal case over the fire at the shopping centre in Kemerovo has confirmed the deaths of 56 people”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  10. 26 Mar 2018, 13:42 Moscow timeInspection. Alexander Buksman, First Deputy Prosecutor General: The Prosecutor General's Office ordered fire-safety checks of every shopping complex with an entertainment centre.
    “instructed the prosecutors of the regions, with the regional bodies of the Ministry of Emergencies, to check compliance with fire-safety law at every shopping complex with an entertainment centre”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  11. 26 Mar 2018, 14:25 Moscow timeStatement. Vladimir Puchkov, Minister of Emergencies: Puchkov said it was too early to speak of causes.
    “Vladimir Puchkov said it was too early to speak of the causes of the fire.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  12. 26 Mar 2018, 14:37 Moscow timeArrest. Svetlana Petrenko, Investigative Committee spokesperson: The Investigative Committee reported the people detained (by role: the owner company's technical director, a tenant, the head and an employee of the alarm-servicing firm) and blocked exits.
    “The fire exits in the centre were blocked”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  13. 26 Mar 2018, 14:44 Moscow timeStatement. Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister: Medvedev announced payments to the families of the dead.
    “The families of the dead will receive 1 million roubles each from the government, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  14. 26 Mar 2018, 14:56 Moscow timeStatement. Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the Federation Council: Matviyenko spoke on Rossiya 1 about punishing those responsible.
    “All those found guilty must be punished most severely; they deserve such punishment if this is negligence, if this is inattention to safety”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  15. 26 Mar 2018, 17:39 Moscow timeInstruction. Vladimir Puchkov, Minister of Emergencies: Puchkov ordered plans to demolish the building.
    “Prepare the design for demolishing the building. Decide who will carry out the demolition and who will oversee it”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  16. 26 Mar 2018, 17:43 Moscow timeStatement. Vladimir Puchkov, Minister of Emergencies: Puchkov said a terrorist attack was not being considered.
    “A terrorist attack is not being considered”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  17. 26 Mar 2018, 18:01 Moscow timeStatement. Sergei Menyailo, presidential envoy to the Siberian Federal District: The envoy said he would check reports that relatives were asked to sign non-disclosure undertakings at identification.
    “intends to check media reports of non-disclosure undertakings allegedly demanded from the relatives of the fire's victims who arrive for identification”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  18. 26 Mar 2018, 19:02 Moscow timeStatement. Investigative Committee of Russia: The Investigative Committee called reports of hundreds of dead untrue.
    “Information circulating on social media about supposedly hundreds of victims of the tragedy in Kemerovo is not supported by anything and does not correspond to reality”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  19. 26 Mar 2018, 20:00 Moscow timeMoney. Government of Russia: Order No. 508-r allocated 76 million roubles from the Government's reserve fund for one-off allowances: 1 million roubles per person killed to their families, 200,000 to 400,000 roubles to the injured.₽76m
    “It is provided that family members of the dead will be paid a one-off allowance of 1 million roubles for each person killed.”
    Правительство России, archive copy
  20. 27 Mar 2018, 03:49 Moscow timeStatement. Vladlen Aksenov, Deputy Minister of Emergencies: The deputy minister gave 64 dead and said the headquarters had no other information.
    “64 people died in the fire. The emergency headquarters had and has no other information”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  21. 27 Mar 2018, 05:50 Moscow timeMemorial. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin flew to Kemerovo and laid flowers at the building.
    “The head of state honoured the memory of the dead, laying flowers at the makeshift memorial in front of the building.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  22. 27 Mar 2018, 07:15 Moscow timeStatement. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: At the meeting in Kemerovo Putin named what had caused the deaths.
    “We talk about demography and we lose so many people. Because of what? Because of some criminal negligence, because of slovenliness.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  23. 27 Mar 2018, 07:15 Moscow timeReport. Vladimir Puchkov, Minister of Emergencies: Puchkov cited the inspection "holiday" for small and medium businesses; Putin replied that it did not apply to safety.
    “V. Puchkov: Control and supervision of small and medium enterprises are also on holiday, Comrade President of the Russian Federation. V. Putin: Listen, that does not apply to safety.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  24. 27 Mar 2018, 07:15 Moscow timeReport. Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee: Bastrykin reported two versions of the fire's cause.
    “There are two versions: either spontaneous ignition from faulty wiring that short-circuited, or the version we believe less, the use of an open flame.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  25. 27 Mar 2018, 07:15 Moscow timeInstruction. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin ordered a legal assessment of the conduct of every official.
    “A legal assessment must be given of the actions of every official. Study everything carefully and give a legal assessment. No one can hide behind some holiday.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  26. 27 Mar 2018, 07:15 Moscow timeStatement. Aman Tuleyev, Governor of the Kemerovo region: Tuleyev, citing eyewitnesses, named a possible cause of the fire.
    “Those I met say there was a children's party and there were fireworks. This is preliminary; eyewitnesses say so.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  27. 27 Mar 2018, 07:15 Moscow timeStatement. Aman Tuleyev, Governor of the Kemerovo region: Tuleyev told the President about the people gathered outside the regional administration.
    “On people's grief, all the opposition forces arrived in a moment: they go round homes, to nearby businesses, to residential areas. Today there are some 200 people there. These are not the relatives of the dead at all.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  28. 27 Mar 2018, 08:20 Moscow timeStatement. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin met relatives of the dead who distrusted the official toll and said how the investigation would proceed.
    “They will go along the whole chain, from the moment this building was re-registered and permission was given to turn a factory into an entertainment centre, and who allowed these materials to be used for such a purpose.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  29. 27 Mar 2018, 13:15 Moscow timeDecree or resolution. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Decree No. 123 declared 28 March a day of mourning and told the Government and the regions to help the families.
    “4. The Government of the Russian Federation, together with the state authorities of the regions, shall take the necessary measures to help the families of the dead and the injured.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  30. 27 Mar 2018, 13:54 Moscow timeCharge. Investigative Committee of Russia: Five detainees were charged; the Investigative Committee asked the court to remand them.
    “Investigators are asking for the arrest of the accused in the criminal case opened after the fire at the Kemerovo shopping centre.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  31. 27 Mar 2018, 20:33 Moscow timeStatement. Svetlana Petrenko, Investigative Committee spokesperson: The Investigative Committee said a foreign prankster had phoned hospitals and state bodies with false figures for the dead.
    “the prankster gave false information in order to destabilise the situation in the region”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  32. 27 Mar 2018Statement. Sergei Tsivilev, deputy governor of the Kemerovo region: At the spontaneous rally outside the regional administration the deputy governor knelt before the relatives of the dead.
    “His deputy Sergei Tsivilev knelt before those gathered in Sovetov Square in Kemerovo, asking the families of the dead for forgiveness.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  33. 28 Mar 2018, 02:39 Moscow timeMedia. RAPSI, Rossiya Segodnya news agency: The state agency RAPSI published an article on "myths" after the fire.
    “We found five main myths that were spread intensively in the first day after the tragedy. None of them received any evidence or factual basis.”
    РАПСИ, archive copy
  34. 28 Mar 2018, 09:15 Moscow timeStatement. Vladlen Aksenov, Deputy Minister of Emergencies: The deputy minister said no one was missing.
    “There are no missing persons. We have no information about relatives who do not know where their loved ones are”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  35. 28 Mar 2018, 10:09 Moscow timeStatement. Vladimir Chernov, first deputy governor of the Kemerovo region: The first deputy governor spoke about the rally of 27 March.
    “But quite a few people there were different; we conclude that this was a clearly planned action aimed at discrediting the structures of power as a whole”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  36. 28 Mar 2018, 15:00 Moscow timeInstruction. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin asked Medvedev to look at how shopping and entertainment centres work and at the law.
    “the work of entertainment and shopping centres of this kind must be looked at, so that it does not turn into some kind of campaign, but safety must obviously be ensured.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  37. 28 Mar 2018, 17:15 Moscow timeStatement. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Meeting Bastrykin and Skvortsova, Putin spoke about posts on social media.
    “And second: we see that, unfortunately, there are plants through social networks, including from abroad, to sow panic and distrust and set people against each other.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  38. 28 Mar 2018, 17:15 Moscow timeStatement. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin said the 2016 inspection record of the building, including by fire officers, had no remarks.
    “Yesterday I looked at the record of the building's inspection in 2016, including by fire service staff. What did I read? It even sounds strange: "No remarks".”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  39. 28 Mar 2018, 18:33 Moscow timeArrest. Basmanny District Court, Moscow: The court arrested in absentia a Ukrainian citizen who had spread false figures for the dead.
    “It was reported earlier that the Investigative Committee had opened a criminal case against the prankster under article 282 of the Criminal Code”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  40. 28 Mar 2018Memorial. Russian Federation: 28 March was a national day of mourning.
    “1. To declare 28 March 2018 a day of mourning in the Russian Federation.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  41. 29 Mar 2018, 17:50 Moscow timeStatement. Dmitry Peskov, the President's press secretary: Peskov commented on Tuleyev's words about the people outside the administration.
    “Governor Tuleyev used an unfortunate word. I saw these people; there really were very many of them, an absolute concentration of pain”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  42. 29 Mar 2018, 18:10 Moscow timeStatement. Dmitry Peskov, the President's press secretary: Peskov said where, according to the Kremlin, the reports of hundreds of dead came from.
    “We identified the plants: they came mainly from two countries, Ukraine and Turkey”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  43. 30 Mar 2018Arrest. A court, at the Investigative Committee's request: Tanzilya Komkova, former head of the Kemerovo region's State Construction Supervision Inspection, was arrested.
    “On 30 March 2018 the former head of the Kemerovo region's State Construction Supervision Inspection, Tanzilya Komkova, was arrested.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  44. 1 Apr 2018, 09:25 Moscow timeDecree or resolution. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Decree No. 137 accepted Tuleyev's resignation at his own request and appointed Sergei Tsivilev acting governor.
    “1. To accept the resignation of the Governor of the Kemerovo region, A.G. Tuleyev, at his own request.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  45. 1 Apr 2018, 10:57 Moscow timeStatement. Sergei Tsivilev, acting Governor of the Kemerovo region: Tsivilev promised punishment of those responsible and help for the families.
    “No one will be shielded or hidden.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  46. 1 Apr 2018, 14:31 Moscow timeStatement. Dmitry Peskov, the President's press secretary: Peskov said Putin had phoned Tuleyev and thanked him for his work.
    “Putin phoned Tuleyev and thanked him for his many years of work as head of the region”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  47. 1 Apr 2018Resignation. Aman Tuleyev, Governor of the Kemerovo region: Tuleyev explained his resignation in a video address.
    “the only right decision, because with such a heavy burden one cannot stay governor; morally one cannot”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  48. 4 Apr 2018, 18:26 Moscow timeStatement. Vasily Piskarev, chairman of the Duma security committee: The Duma committee chairman opposed a proposal for a parliamentary inquiry.
    “This initiative is not quite right, because I think the investigation now under way, which is effective, should not be replaced”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  49. 18 Apr 2018, 16:26 Moscow timeStatement. Svetlana Petrenko, Investigative Committee spokesperson: The Investigative Committee said it was examining prosecutors' documents on excluding small businesses from scheduled inspections.
    “The investigation has documents from the prosecutors of the Kemerovo region and of Kemerovo on the need to exclude small and medium businesses from scheduled inspections”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  50. 20 Apr 2018Report. Svetlana Petrenko, Investigative Committee spokesperson: The Investigative Committee set the final death toll at 60.
    “allowed the investigation to determine the final number of those who died in the fire: 60”
    РИА Новости, archive copy
  51. 30 Apr 2018, 12:33 Moscow timeInspection. Vladimir Puchkov, Minister of Emergencies: Puchkov reported the results of the nationwide inspections of shopping centres.
    “Every second one has very serious violations, which are being corrected”
    РИА Новости, archive copy
  52. 25 May 2018, 09:42 Moscow timeCriminal case. Investigative Committee of Russia: The Investigative Committee detained Alexander Mamontov, head of the Ministry of Emergencies' Kemerovo regional directorate, and Grigory Terentyev, head of its Kemerovo supervision department, in a negligence and embezzlement case.
    “the head of the Ministry of Emergencies' Kemerovo regional directorate, Alexander Mamontov, the head of the regional ministry's supervision department for the city of Kemerovo, Grigory Terentyev, and others”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  53. 21 Aug 2018Memorial. Kemerovo city administration: The shopping centre's building was demolished.
    “On 21 August 2018 it was completely demolished.”
    РИА Новости, archive copy

2019

  1. 21 Mar 2019Statement. Ministry of Emergencies: The Ministry of Emergencies gave the result of its review of the firefighters' actions.
    “In the situation they found themselves in, the firefighters acted according to the situation”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  2. 25 Mar 2019Report. Investigative Committee of Russia: On the anniversary the Investigative Committee published the investigation's preliminary results.
    “the complex's owners, chasing profit, tried to cut costs wherever possible. And first of all they saved on people's safety.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  3. 12 Apr 2019, 11:44 Moscow timeCriminal case. Prosecutor General's Office: The Prosecutor General's Office sent the first case to court and stated the cause of the fire as the investigation found it.
    “the fire started from a short circuit in the electrical wiring on the fourth floor”
    Генеральная прокуратура России, archive copy
  4. 12 Apr 2019, 11:44 Moscow timeCriminal case. Prosecutor General's Office: The Prosecutor General's Office described what failed in the building.
    “The fire-suppression system was not connected to the alarm, which kept it from working, and the automatic water and powder suppression systems were faulty.”
    Генеральная прокуратура России, archive copy
  5. 16 May 2019, 08:30 Moscow timeCriminal case. Investigative Committee of Russia: The first trial began; the Investigative Committee spoke about the inspections of the building.
    “Clearly, when inspecting and issuing documents confirming that the rebuilt building met building rules and standards, the construction supervision staff turned a blind eye to a great deal.”
    Следственный комитет России, archive copy
  6. 15 Sep 2019Memorial. Kemerovo regional and city authorities: The "Park of Angels" opened on the site of the centre.
    “The park was officially opened on 15 September 2019.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  7. 14 Oct 2019Verdict. Arbitration courts: The arbitration court invalidated the city's 2014 permit to put the centre into use; the city's appeal was rejected.
    “The permit was signed in March 2014 by a deputy head of Kemerovo city, after the regional construction supervision inspection gave the building a positive assessment.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  8. 11 Dec 2019Verdict. Rudnichny District Court, Kemerovo: On 30 claims the court ordered the owner company to pay 118 million roubles to relatives of the dead.₽118m
    “ruled on 30 claims by victims to recover from JSC Kemerovo Confectionery Plant compensation beyond damages totalling 118 million roubles”
    ТАСС, archive copy

2020

  1. 30 Jan 2020Law. Government of Russia: The Government sent the Duma a bill on liability for repeated fire-safety violations, citing the Kemerovo fire.
    “the need for the changes arose after the fire at the Winter Cherry shopping and entertainment complex in Kemerovo, in which 60 people died”
    Право.ru, archive copy
  2. 24 Mar 2020Arrest. Investigative Committee of Russia: Vyacheslav Vishnevsky, the owner company's former co-owner and director, charged with bribery, was extradited to Russia.
    “The owner of the Winter Cherry shopping centre, Vyacheslav Vishnevsky, has been extradited to the Russian Federation”
    Следственный комитет России, archive copy

2021

  1. 29 Oct 2021Verdict. Zavodsky District Court, Kemerovo: In the first case Yulia Bogdanova, former director of the Kemerovo Confectionery Plant (the centre's main owner), got 14 years; Nadezhda Suddenok, director of the main tenant, 13.5; Georgy Sobolev, the plant's technical director, 11; Igor Polozinenko, director of the firm that serviced the fire alarm, 6.5; a guard, an engineer and two firefighters got 5 to 8 years.
    “Kemerovo's Zavodsky District Court sentenced the former director of the Kemerovo Confectionery Plant (the main owner of the Winter Cherry centre), Yulia Bogdanova, to 14 years in a general-regime penal colony.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  2. 29 Oct 2021Statement. Investigative Committee of Russia: The Investigative Committee said it had prosecuted everyone it found responsible.
    “The Investigative Committee has brought criminal charges against all persons whose actions or inaction predetermined the tragedy”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  3. 22 Nov 2021Appeal. Ministry of Emergencies: The Ministry of Emergencies appealed against the verdict and the court's separate ruling addressed to the ministry's leadership.
    “The separate ruling the court addressed to the acting head of the Ministry of Emergencies, Alexander Chupriyan, says the ministry trains its staff poorly.”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  4. 24 Dec 2021Verdict. Central District Court, Kemerovo: In the second case (a bribe for approving the building) Tanzilya Komkova, former head of the regional construction supervision inspection, got 18 years; three others got 7 to 15 years.
    “On 24 December 2021 Kemerovo's Central District Court sentenced Tanzilya Komkova to 18 years in a general-regime penal colony.”
    ТАСС, archive copy

2022

  1. 7 Oct 2022Verdict. Central District Court, Kemerovo: Vyacheslav Vishnevsky, the owner company's former co-owner and director, got eight years for bribing the head of the regional construction supervision inspection.
    “On 7 October 2022 Kemerovo's Central District Court sentenced Vyacheslav Vishnevsky, former director and co-owner of Winter Cherry, to eight years in a strict-regime penal colony for a bribe to the head of the regional construction supervision.”
    ТАСС, archive copy

2023

  1. 27 Jun 2023Verdict. Central District Court, Kemerovo: Alexander Mamontov, former head of the Ministry of Emergencies' Kemerovo regional directorate, got 10.5 years (negligence and embezzlement); Grigory Terentyev, former chief state fire inspector for Kemerovo, got 8.5 years.ТАСС, archive copy
  2. 30 Jun 2023Appeal. Kemerovo Regional Court: The appeal in the first case cut each sentence by two months.
    “The regional court reduced each convict's sentence by two months, dropping the charge of acting as an organised group.”
    ТАСС, archive copy

2024

  1. 29 Mar 2024Appeal. Kemerovo Regional Court: On appeal Alexander Mamontov was freed from punishment for negligence because the limitation period had passed; he was released, having served the term for embezzlement.
    “to release Mamontov from punishment under part 3 of article 293 of the Criminal Code (negligence) because the limitation period has expired”
    ТАСС, archive copy
  2. 4 Oct 2024Criminal case. Relatives of the dead (claims at Moscow's Dorogomilovsky District Court): Relatives of the dead filed 12 claims for moral damages against the Ministry of Emergencies and the owner company.
    “The claims for moral damages were brought against the Ministry of Emergencies and OJSC Kemerovo Confectionery Plant.”
    ТАСС, archive copy

2025

  1. 4 Mar 2025Appeal. Eighth Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction: The cassation court lifted the ban on Alexander Mamontov and Grigory Terentyev holding office; by then 10 of the 15 convicted over the fire had been released from punishment.ТАСС, archive copy

Sources