Professor slams sharp increase in Volgograd capital repair fees
Professor of economics Igor Belsky criticized the sharp increase in tariffs for capital repairs of apartment buildings in Volgograd and Volgograd Oblast. According to him, the rise in contributions, planned from 2026, is five times higher than the established inflation rate.
Belsky, who holds a doctorate in economic sciences and is the author of the Telegram channel «Your Pocket & Market Trends,» characterized the situation as «price administrative lawlessness.» He called on federal authorities to strengthen control over regional tariffs, noting that such a rise is unbearable for social groups, especially for state employees and low-income citizens.
According to the professor«s calculations, the increase in capital repair tariffs at the beginning of 2026 will be almost five times higher than the official inflation rate for 2025 in the region, which was 5.59%. Meanwhile, the rise in contributions is planned at 24.98%.
«It raises the question: why aren»t the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) and other agencies controlling such tariff growth for public services in the oblast? — asks Igor Belsky. — Under our laws, unfortunately, we cannot name the responsible persons who allowed such tariff growth.«
The economist insists on a public audit of the justification for the increase and lowering the tariff to the inflation level. He also pointed out the lack of transparency in the calculations: «Everything is done quietly and on the sly. They»ve put millions of people, residents of the oblast, simply before a fait accompli.«
Belsky recalled that the quality of capital repairs and numerous complaints about the execution of work are constantly discussed by residents and local media. «In economics, there is no such thing as a tariff increase of almost 500%, multiple times higher than the inflation rate. Without basis. On this matter, it»s time to be outraged. We can no longer remain silent,« stated the professor.
The increase is enshrined in Decree No. 863-p of the Volgograd Oblast Administration dated December 29, 2024. The document sets the minimum contribution for capital repairs at 13.66 rubles per square meter (approximately $0.14 at current rates) from 2026, which is 2.73 rubles (approximately $0.03) or 24.98% higher than in 2025 (10.93 rubles, approximately $0.11). A similar trend, according to Belsky, was observed in 2025 and is expected in 2027.
For example, for an apartment owner with an area of 80 square meters, the monthly payment will exceed 1,000 rubles (approximately $10 at current rates). «What are we paying for? This price lawlessness simply outrages us as consumers and property owners in this region!» says the economist.
In other major cities, capital repair tariffs are significantly lower. For example, in 2025:
- in Moscow, the minimum contribution was 29.66 rubles per square meter (approximately $0.30);
- in Kazan — 8.47 rubles (approximately $0.08);
- in St. Petersburg, the price increased from 13.21 to 14.26 rubles (approximately $0.13 to $0.14).
«Volgograd residents pay more than Kazan residents and on par with St. Petersburg, where building wear is greater and the housing stock is older. And there, the average salary level is much higher. Capital repairs and their cost should be subsidized by regional and local authorities, — notes Belsky. — Such growth is clearly an inadequate tariff attitude towards its own population.»
The quality of capital repairs in Volgograd has been repeatedly criticized by residents. In the summer of 2025, residents of building No. 41 on Veselaya Balka Street were left without a roof after its demolition by contractors, and a downpour flooded apartments. In 2024, a similar situation occurred in building No. 13 on Mira Street, where the roofing was dismantled before heavy rains.
In November 2025, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) added Moscow-based LLC «SO.YUZ» to the register of unscrupulous suppliers, which disrupted the capital repair of 381 apartment buildings in Volgograd and the oblast.
