The announcement of the increase in utility tariffs caused dissatisfaction among Astrakhan residents.

On December 20, new tariffs for utility services will be established in the Astrakhan region, authorities reported. Astrakhan residents, commenting on this message on social media, expressed dissatisfaction with the regular increase in utility payments against the backdrop of low salaries and complained about constant water main breaks, flooding of streets with sewage, and power outages due to worn-out power lines.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", Astrakhan residents periodically complain about the increase in tariffs. For example, in November 2024, residents of Astrakhan were outraged by the billing for heating for a full month, despite the heating season starting only on October 21. The townspeople demanded a recalculation and a solution to the problem of unfair utility charges.

New tariffs for utility services in the Astrakhan region are planned to be established on December 20 of this year. They will come into effect on July 1, 2027. According to the forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, the average increase in utility payments across the country will be 11%, but specific figures for the Astrakhan region will be determined separately.

Starting in 2027, planned indexing of utility tariffs will be conducted once a year, said the head of the regional tariff service Anton Sviridov during the program "Point of View". According to him, specialists are currently checking the calculations presented by regulated organizations. The projected increase in electricity costs is 14.14%, cold water supply – 9.4%, sewage – 9%, as reported by "Astrakhan 24" on October 26.

The announcement of the upcoming tariff increase was published in the "Typical Astrakhan" community on the social network "VKontakte", which has about 104.8 thousand users. As of 07:50 Moscow time on October 28, this publication received 19 reactions and 12 comments. Astrakhan residents expressed dissatisfaction with the increase in utility payments and pointed out that the state of the urban infrastructure does not correspond to the amounts that residents are forced to pay for utility services.

"With the speed at which utility payments are increasing annually, there should have long been titanium pipes, fully automated boiler houses and pumping stations, and houses should shine like Easter eggs," wrote Elena Aulova.

"Elena, no one owes us anything, but we are obliged to pay," ironically noted Viktor Lomakin.

Elena Streltzova pointed out that over the past decades, utility payments have increased multiple times, but the condition of engineering networks has not improved. "The wiring on the power lines is in terrible condition, all twisted, in many places exposed, unclear how and with what it is fastened. Hence the constant short circuits, breaks, voltage fluctuations," she wrote. According to the Astrakhan resident, due to problems with sewage and water supply, the streets of the city are regularly flooded with water and waste.

Valeriya Rebecka drew attention to the cost of utility services against the backdrop of low incomes of residents. "It is already written that people owe two billion just for cold water and only in Astrakhan. In short, they want to leave people simply without housing and in debt, while the salary is 25 thousand," she noted.

In another comment, Valeriya Rebecka complained that she had already received a bill with an increased gas charge. "Now the bills have come, gas has risen by 10%. We were promised that in October the old tariff would remain, but no! We have to pay according to the new tariffs," wrote the Astrakhan resident, adding that the increase in utility expenses is becoming unbearable for her.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that against the backdrop of regular increases in utility tariffs in the Astrakhan region, the problems of worn-out engineering networks and interruptions in utility services have remained relevant for a long time. For example, on May 15, 2025, it became known that the court ordered "Astrvodokanal" to compensate 11 million rubles in damages for soil pollution with wastewater after numerous complaints from residents about faulty sewage systems.

On April 25, 2024, it became known that 1700 residents of the village of Tishkovo were left without stable water supply, as the water pressure in the system was three times lower than normal. Villagers complained that they could not wash properly, do laundry, or clean their homes, and had to collect drinking water at a special point or bring it from the district center. Due to the lack of water, there were problems with cleaning facilities in the school, kindergarten, and hospital. Residents repeatedly appealed to the authorities and supervisory bodies, but there was no response.

In November 2022, residents of Astrakhan complained about regular flooding of Minusinskaya Street with sewage due to an old collector. According to them, accidents occurred repeatedly, and the waste created unsanitary conditions.