According to a recent poll, Russians say the critical situation in the housing and utilities sector is Russia’s most pressing problem. Even inflation and corruption are placed lower in the "list of nightmares".

      Over 55 percent of respondents in a survey conducted by the All-Russia Center for the Study of Public Opinion on Social and Economic Issues said housing and utilities tariffs were their main problem, accounting for one-tenth of an average household’s budget and constantly growing.

      This year electricity prices raised 12-15 percent,  heating prices - 8-10 percent and natural gas pricesare stably growing at a rate of 15 percent a year.

      44 percent of respondents place inflation second among Russian concerns, which is followed by the spread of drugs and corruption. Living standards appear to be the last on the list of Russians’ five top pressing issues.