Market-Rate Mortgage Borrowers More Active in Early RepaymentIn 2025, clients who took out mortgages at market rates significantly more often resorted to early repayment compared to borrowers under preferential programs. Such data is provided by VTB.
Yaroslavl Increases Water and Sewage TariffsWater supply and sewage disposal rates in the region have risen as of January 1, 2026, with authorities citing an increase in the VAT rate as the reason.
Doctors' Salaries in Russia: Can You Trust the Official Figures?Official statistics show high average salaries for doctors in Russia's public health system, but medical professionals question how reflective these numbers are of real earnings, especially outside major cities.
Murmansk Proposes Fixed Sum for Teachers and Medical WorkersDuring the first city council meeting of 2026, Murmansk officials suggested changing the financial support for educators and healthcare workers from a monthly salary-based bonus to a fixed annual sum.
Wealthy Clients Prioritize Health and Domestic Travel in WinterA study by Bank Saint Petersburg revealed changes in the spending patterns of premium card holders during the New Year holidays. Home goods and medicine entered the top five, with most expenses going to domestic tourism.
Medical Tourists Go to St. Petersburg for TreatmentFunding from the federal compulsory health insurance fund for treating non-resident patients in St. Petersburg reached 12.2 billion rubles (approximately $128 million at current rates) by the end of 2025, which is 15% above planned indicators. These data were cited by the head of the city's Territorial Fund of Compulsory Medical Insurance (TFOMS), Dmitry Lisovets.
