New poverty: rising utility bills, impoverishment of regions

Against the backdrop of the crisis, rising prices and war, utility bills in the regions have become a burden: tariffs have increased, services have become more expensive, benefits have been reduced. Pensioners, low-income people, and families with children were especially affected. In a number of rural regions, modernization of heating systems, water supply, and infrastructure has completely stopped. People were freezing in winter, saving on basic things, living “paycheck to paycheck.” Social tension grew, discontent accumulated. 2024 was the year when survival for many turned from a choice to a necessity.