Residents of Grozny reported over the past 30 minutes ending at 8:16 PM UTC on January 16, 2026, that smog has enveloped the entire city, complaining that "they have nothing to breathe," according to Exilenova+. Exilenova+ stated that air quality issues are severe, responding to complaints with "Unfortunately, there is. Just breathe more deeply." No official statements or further details on the cause of the smog were provided during the reporting window from 7:46 PM to 8:16 PM UTC.
