In the occupied territories, the water tariff has doubled: new intelligence data.

According to ТСН: In the Ukrainian cities occupied by Russia, the water supply tariff has doubled, despite the fact that water and heating supply has not yet been restored. This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

Increase in tariffs

Due to the rapid deterioration of the socio-economic situation in the occupied cities, particularly in Mariupol, the water supply tariff has increased. It is noted:

“In Mariupol, where normal water and heating supply has not yet been restored, the occupation administration has almost doubled the water supply tariff — from 21.2 to 41.84 rubles per cubic meter. At the same time, water is supplied only for a few hours every two days, and some areas remain without it for weeks.”

Moreover, the cost of heating rose by about 300%. The tariff increased from approximately 12.5 to more than 49 rubles per square meter, despite numerous accidents at the boiler houses.

“The occupiers cynically call this 'gradual adjustment to an economically justified level', effectively passing their own financial problems and the consequences of the war onto the civilian population.”

Situation in Melitopol

A similar situation is observed in Melitopol, where starting from January 1, 2026, tariffs sharply increased, and local residents were only informed of the new prices after their implementation. In Russia itself, it was also announced that tariffs for utility services would be raised in two stages. The first increase occurred at the beginning of the year due to an increase in VAT, which led to an increase in the average utility payment by 1.6-1.7%. A second wave of increases is also expected in the fall, which may range from 8% to 22%, depending on the region.

“Such decisions demonstrate the real state of the Russian economy, which is rapidly weakening under the pressure of sanctions, military expenditures, and internal degradation.”

Financial difficulties

According to intelligence data, the Russian authorities are trying to plug budget holes at the expense of the population. It is noted:

“The Kremlin is trying to patch budget holes at the expense of the population — both in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories and in Russia itself.”

Increases in tariffs, resource shortages, and infrastructure destruction have become consequences of military actions against Ukraine, for which the population of Russia is paying with rising poverty. According to experts, the Kremlin has from 6 to 12 months to try to achieve its goals in Ukraine without a catastrophic collapse of the social sphere.

It has also been reported earlier that the Kremlin will soon experience a shortage of both financial and human resources.