Going Back to the USSR: Russia's Cost of Living Soars by More than 14%

The cost of living in Russia is surging following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, new data shows.

Official figures show the price of some household staples – such as sugar – have jumped by as much as 14% over the past week, reports the BBC.

Inflation is set to keep rising in Russia, where the Ruble has fallen sharply since the Ukraine war began.

The value of the currency has dropped about 22% this year, and this has pushed up the cost of importing goods.

“On Wednesday, Russia’s economic ministry said annual inflation had jumped 14.5% in the week ending 18 March – the highest rate since late 2015.

“The Federal State Statistics Service said the cost of sugar rose by as much as 37.1% in certain regions of the country and increased by an average 14%,” reads the article.

Sugar was the biggest gainer in the week, the government agency found.

The price of onions was the second biggest riser over the week, up 13.7% nationwide and 40.4% in some areas. Meanwhile, nappies were 4.4% more expensive. Prices for black tea rose 4% and toilet paper increased by 3%.

The lines for sugar in Saratov were hard not to compare to the Soviet era, part of a recent run on Russian staples that have revived fears that the Kremlin’s invasion in Ukraine will lead to a virtual slide back to the shortages or endless queues of the Soviet Union, reports the Guardian.

The publication notes that bags of sugar and buckwheat began disappearing from local markets in early March, just a week after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. “And when the local mayor’s office announced that it would hold special markets for people to buy the staples last week, hundreds showed up,” reads the article.

“People are sharing tips about where to get sugar. This is crazy,” said Viktor Nazarov, who said that his grandmother had tasked him with visiting the special market last weekend to stock up. “It’s sad and it’s funny. It feels like a month ago was fine and now we’re talking about the 1990s again, buying products because … we’re afraid they’ll disappear.”

After an hour and a half waiting at the city’s main square, he was limited to buying one bag of five kilograms, he said.

Other videos shared on social media have shown fights for sugar in markets in other cities in Russia, all while officials have maintained that the shortage is part of an artificial crisis.