Residents of Kalmykia reported forced cuts in expenses due to the high cost of gasoline.

Gas prices in Kalmykia are unreasonably high, which has forced residents of the republic to significantly reduce personal trips.

Previously, "Caucasian Knot", the average cost of gasoline in the Southern Federal District from October 13 to 19 was 82.66 rubles, while in Kalmykia it was 102 rubles. A liter of AI-95 costs an average of 110 rubles in the republic, according to statistical data.

A 27-year-old Andrey Zuev from Elista works as a driver for a logistics company. He is engaged in long-distance transportation of goods — within Kalmykia and to neighboring regions. Andrey believes that gasoline prices are "unreasonably high."

"This is not the limit. I predict that AI-95 will soon be close to 200 rubles (per liter). Then our modest business will definitely come to an end, as no one will order services from us considering the rising costs. Both business and work will stop," Andrey said.

According to him, he does not understand the reason for such high fuel prices in Kalmykia.

Zueva's wife Natalya clarified that fuel prices have jumped again in recent days. On October 24, in Elista, AI-95 gasoline cost 135 rubles, AI-92 – 110 rubles, and diesel fuel remained at 98 rubles.

According to her, "today six gas stations were operating in Kalmykia (out of 33) – Lukoil stations in the northern industrial zone (of Elista), on Manzhiev Street. On Lenin Street, two Lukoil gas stations were closed. Our colleagues from Astrakhan filled up calmly on the highway near the village of Ulan Erge," the woman said.

We do not drive the car for personal matters. All our acquaintances are also saving.

Natalya Zueva noted that they have long tried not to use their own car for "family matters." They use public transport.

"Our parents are elderly. We, of course, take them to doctors and clinics. We do not particularly save (on gasoline) for that. But for personal matters, we do not drive the car. All our acquaintances are also saving," Zueva said.

A temporarily unemployed resident of Elista, introducing himself as Bova, said he has a large family: a wife and three sons. His ninety-year-old mother lives with them.

"We have a private house in the suburbs of Elista. My car is old, from 1998. I rarely used it before. And now fuel has become completely unaffordable. I go on business by motorcycle. Winter is coming. You can't ride it on our roads anymore," Bova said.

Bova noted that the sense of traveling by car was lost when the price exceeded 90 rubles per liter (AI-92). Currently, his wife (in the budget sector) and older son are working. According to the head of the family, their household budget is extremely tight. They rely on their livestock.

"We have a cow and sheep. As long as we keep the farm, we hold on. I don't know, though, for how long. I haven't been able to find a job yet. There is no work," the man admitted.

Bova confessed that he does not understand why fuel prices in Kalmykia are so high.

"There are both the Volgograd oil refinery and the Astrakhan gas condensate plant nearby. Why have fuel prices been raised so much – it is completely unclear," the man exclaimed.

Gasoline – sometimes it is completely unavailable, and sometimes its prices are exorbitant.

His older son, not naming himself, explained that their parents will soon retire. The mother will receive a teacher's pension, and the father, as a builder, will also receive "a decent salary from the state."

"As soon as they retire, I will move out from them. I need to start my own family. Living in the republic has become expensive. I will go to Astrakhan for work. I will rent an apartment there. It is very difficult. Of course, the fuel crisis hits the youth hard. It is difficult to find a decent job here, and everything in stores is getting more expensive – we have to rely on our own garden. Housing is also unaffordable to buy. And gasoline – sometimes it is completely unavailable, and sometimes its prices are exorbitant," the young man said.

The survey is not representative and reflects only the private opinions of its participants.