Unusual Russia

Streetlights are being turned off in Russia’s Irkutsk region to save money.

The region has a 46.4 billion ruble budget hole — roughly $640 million. Residents say lights are being shut off in parks and pedestrian areas in Bratsk, the region’s second-largest city.

Local officials called it “energy-saving measures.”

Local lawmaker Antonenkov posted the response and summed it up: “There is no light because the city has switched to total austerity mode.”