How State Supported Slain Boy Pasha's Family

In early February, 9-year-old Pasha, who washed cars for money, was killed in St. Petersburg. Fontanka estimated the amount of financial assistance his large family received.

Apr 27, 2026

In February, St. Petersburg was shocked by the murder of 9-year-old Pasha. The child was searched for several days, and then his body was found near the Nizhny Shingirsky Waterfall. A 39-year-old Pyotr Zhilkin, an acquaintance of the boy from the parking lot where he washed cars for money, confessed to sexual abuse and murder.

Pasha had six brothers and sisters aged from six months to 12 years. Their mother was a housewife, their father worked, and his salary was close to the city average. However, per nine people, the income was only about 13,500 rubles (approximately $150 at current rates) per person, below the subsistence minimum in St. Petersburg.

The boy did not attend school, although basic education is mandatory in Russia. The child«s grandmother explained that he was »not ready« for school. For such a violation, parents can be fined and the family placed on record.

Pasha sometimes came to the parking lot of a cafe near his home and offered to wash drivers« cars. Relatives said he wanted pocket money. On 30 January, Zhilkin took him away. The suspect later claimed that the boy extorted half a million rubles (approximately $5,600 at current rates) from him for silence about his pedophilic tendencies.

At the end of 2025, the family was included in the list of those in a socially dangerous situation. The mother had previously been held administratively liable for improper fulfillment of parental duties.

Single Child Benefit

Since 2023, a single child benefit has been in effect in Russia, designed to support family income at a level not below the subsistence minimum. The payment amount ranges from 50% to 100% of the regional subsistence minimum per child.

In 2026, the subsistence minimum in St. Petersburg for children is 20,025 rubles (approximately $222 at current rates). For a family of nine, total income must exceed 185,000 rubles (approximately $2,100 at current rates) per month to ensure this level.

According to Fontanka estimates, considering the father«s salary, the family likely received a basic or increased single child benefit. The amount of such payments could range from 70,000 to 105,000 rubles (approximately $780 to $1,200 at current rates) monthly. Together with other income, the total amount most likely exceeded 185,000 rubles.

Thus, the family was not in extreme need, although for such a large family these funds remain modest.

Other Monthly Payments

Before the introduction of the single benefit, there were a number of separate payments that are now combined. Among them:

Monthly childcare allowance for unemployed parents for children up to 1.5 years. In 2013, the minimum amount was 2,400 rubles (approximately $27 at current rates) for the first child.
Monthly payment upon birth of third or subsequent children up to three years. In 2013 — 5,800 rubles (approximately $64 at current rates).
Monthly benefit for a child from 1.5 to 7 years. For a complete family — up to 1,400 rubles (approximately $16 at current rates).
Monthly benefit for a schoolchild from 7 to 16 or 18 years — up to 2,000 rubles (approximately $22 at current rates).

At Childbirth

The family received federal maternity capital for the second child, born in 2014. At that time, its amount was 429,400 rubles (approximately $4,800 at current rates).

For the third child — Pavel (Pasha), born in 2017 — the regional maternity capital of St. Petersburg in the amount of 140,200 rubles (approximately $1,600 at current rates) was due.

Considering indexation, the total amount of maternity capital could reach approximately 570,000 rubles (approximately $6,300 at current rates).

A one-time allowance was paid at the birth of each child. According to the publication«s calculations, the family received more than 128,000 rubles (approximately $1,400 at current rates) under this item.

Also, St. Petersburg provides a compensation payment at childbirth. In total, the family likely received about 342,000 rubles (approximately $3,800 at current rates) in such compensation.

For Uniforms, Land, Mortgage Repayment

Large families are entitled to an annual payment for the purchase of school uniforms — in 2026 this is 11,000 rubles (approximately $122 at current rates).

There are subsidies for mortgage repayment: federal in the amount of 450,000 rubles (approximately $5,000 at current rates) and regional St. Petersburg — 550,000 rubles (approximately $6,100 at current rates).

Families with seven or more children may be provided with a minibus by the city, but there is no data that Pasha«s family used this opportunity.

Also available are certificates for the purchase of a land plot with compensation of up to 497,500 rubles (approximately $5,500 at current rates) or free provision of land.

Additional benefits include compensation for utilities, rental of a summer house, free parking. For children under three, social nanny services are provided.

Women who have given birth to five or more children receive an additional 4,500 rubles (approximately $50 at current rates) to their pension.

The state provides significant financial support to large families, incentivizing childbirth and helping with their maintenance.

However, as Pasha«s tragedy shows, money does not guarantee social well-being and protection of children from exploitation and random threats.

After the boy«s death, the prosecutor»s office began an inspection of the activities of social services in St. Petersburg.