Water and heating tariffs increase in Russian-occupied Mariupol
The occupation authorities of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic have announced new utility tariffs.
Source: Mariupol City Council, the Ukrainian local authority operating in exile
Details: The Russians explain the increase by a rise in the VAT rate in Russia from 20% to 22%, which, in their words, led to a 1.7% increase in housing and utility tariffs.
As the city council noted, the sharpest impact on residents comes from water charges. The tariff is increasing by almost 97% compared to 1 January 2025, rising from about RUB 21.20 (about US$0,26) per cubic metre to RUB 41.84 (about US$0,52) per cubic metre, an increase of RUB 20.64 (about US$0,25).
"And this is despite the fact that Mariupol is facing an acute water shortage. Water is supplied for only a few hours once every two days," the city council added.
Residents report that many buildings remain without water for weeks. People resort to drastic measures, including draining water from heating pipes, which results in apartments being left without heat.
Meanwhile, heating tariffs have increased by about 292%, rising from around RUB 12.51 (about US$0,15) per square metre per month to RUB 49.08 (about US$0,61) per square metre per month, an increase of RUB 36.57 (about US$0,45).
Boiler houses in the occupied city regularly break down, and the Russians do not allocate funds for repairs. In addition, residents have repeatedly complained about frequent ruptures of heating networks, which are also not being replaced, the city council noted.
The occupiers state that this is only part of a much larger increase.
Quote: "This is presented as an element of a 'strategy to gradually bring tariffs to an economically justified level'. In reality, it is an attempt to shift the financial burden of economic difficulties in Russia onto the Ukrainian population in the occupied territories."
Background: The Katerynivka quarry producing alkaline kaolin near Donetsk Oblast's Mariupol has closed, as the Russians have completely exhausted the raw material reserves.
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