Russian cities usually use zone heating, where the entire city gets pumped hot water from a central plant to keep the apartments warm
A few cities in the US use a form of it, from Austin TX up to several in North Dakota (looking at you, Minot AFB).
A burst hot water pipe is not desirable ...
The videos posted by the Russians without heat in the affected areas are wild. Their apartment building lobbies and stairwells are something out of a nightmare.