Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/@crimlife_yakutia

This is the moment a desperate mother rummages through two wheelie bins with her four children for food as the harsh and snowy Russian winter sets in.

The incident was filmed by an onlooker in the city of Yakutsk in the north-eastern Russian republic of Sakha and was later shared on social media where it has been widely circulated.

In the footage, the mum and her three eldest children are seen scavenging through two wheelie bins and placing food items in a toy pram as a baby waits in a stroller.

After the footage was shared on social media, the local authorities tracked down the family to offer support, according to reports.

A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said they have sent social workers to evaluate the financial and social situation of the young family.

Netizen ‘olgaokhlopkov’ said: “Food is really expensive these days. At the same time there is barely any social help coming from the state, financial for the children is really small. People are barely making ends meet.”

While ‘lana_tretyak’ said: “Jeez Louise, is there any way I can help them?”

And ‘anastasiiatogr’ commented: “My heart aches when I see scenes like that.”

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