Omsk Residents Face 13% Utility Rate Hike
The cost of utility services in Omsk will increase by 13% from October 1, according to regional officials responding to a resident's complaint.
Jul 28, 2026 0
An Omsk resident voices her discontent with the planned utility rate increases.
Source:
A resident of Omsk Oblast complained about yet another increase in utility tariffs. She left her appeal on the page of Governor Vitaly Khotsenko on VKontakte.
“What is the justification for another 12% or more increase in utility tariffs? Salaries are not indexed, official inflation is about 5%. I consider the tariff increase unjustified,” the woman complained.
The question was answered by Dmitry Russkikh, Chairman of the Regional Energy Commission (REC) of Omsk Oblast. He explained that the maximum parameters for changes in utility fees are set at the federal level.
According to the head of the REC, a single allowable increase in fees was set for all regions from January 1, 2026 — 1.7%. This is due to changes in tax legislation, including an increase in the VAT rate from 20% to 22%.
Russkikh also explained that the cost of utilities is influenced by enterprises« expenses: rising prices for energy resources, raw materials, and other costs.
“Taking into account preferential tariffs, the increase in the total utility payment from October 1 will not exceed 13% on average across the region. The main reason for the tariff increase is inflation caused by rising energy and raw material prices. The government is forced to consider this factor to ensure the stable operation of utility companies.”
According to REC data, in 2026 the wholesale price of natural gas will increase by 9.6%, gas transportation will become 11.6% more expensive, electricity by 13.2%, and electricity transmission will rise by 15.2%.
Utility companies have to account for their own rising costs. The cost of services includes expenses for fuel, materials, and employee wages. In some tariffs, the share of fuel costs reaches 80%. Calculations also factor in the increase in the minimum wage, which rose by 20.7% in 2026.
The official«s response did not convince the Omsk resident. She stated that residents have been paying utility bills on time for years, yet the problem of dilapidated infrastructure remains.
“We have been paying for housing with constant tariff increases for decades, and in the 21st century we learn that the wear and tear is colossal and that we need to develop and update the infrastructure,” the woman wrote.
Read more
