Russia has plenty of natural gas, but the Russians don't. However, they still vote for Putin
12:05 PM EDT, October 23, 2023
The Russian YouTuber, Viacheslav Zarucky, highlighted the paradox of Russian voters. This mostly concerns the poor, predominantly living in villages. They do not have access to natural gas. Nothing would be strange about this, if not for the fact that one fifth of the world's natural gas production comes from Russia itself.
Russia is the second largest producer of natural gas in the world. It provides 19.2 percent of the total global production. This doesn't mean it supplies its own country. 40 million Russians don't have access to natural gas. This is especially true for villagers, who have outdoor toilets, and heat their homes solely with firewood.
However, this doesn't stop them from voting for Vladimir Putin, even though he hasn't done anything to change their situation.
Natural gas? It's too expensive
The Russian woman residing in the countryside, interviewed in the video shared by Wiaczeslav, points out that hardly anyone in her town can afford natural gas. Installation costs amount to 250-270 thousand rubles (around $3188-$3426). She herself receives 13 thousand rubles for pension and annuities (approximately $164).
I would probably die sooner, rather than wait for the gas installation - admits an older woman.
Most of the village is without natural gas. Only a quarter of people living on the main road have it. An older woman mocked the words of the Russian head of the Audit Chamber, Alexey Kudrin, that there is no longer poverty in Russia.
It is more likely that there will be even more beggars! Nobody has ever helped us in life - he points out.
When asked whether people in her town can afford food, she admits that those who grow their own food have something to eat. However, no one can afford to buy food.
Have you seen the prices of medicines? Medicines for the elderly! Most of us are old people and we don't get medicines. What are we talking about gas. A retiree will never get gas in his life - the woman is irritated.
Also read: He showed the living conditions in a Russian village. It's shocking that in the 21st century someone still lives like this
They want to take away their pensions
The man conducting the interview quoted the words of the Minister of Social Affairs, Golikova, who believes that residents of the village who own their own livestock should be deprived of their pensions.
Do we have a pension of 50 thousand rubles??? - the woman was furious.
Accompanying her, another villager adds that the villager raises cattle in order to feed himself and his family.
The officials never lack. Every time they have new rights! They raise taxes, lower revenues. We have the costliest electricity, the most expensive water. They said they would build a nuclear power plant and the electricity would be cheaper. They did so, but the electricity is still expensive! - the speaker was irritated.
She added that politicians should try living on her pension.
She voted for Putin
However, when asked about whom she voted for as the country's president, the woman admitted that she voted for Putin.
So what is your problem now? - asked the interview author teasingly.
We can't get through to him and tell him about our problem! - replied the villager.
She decided that Putin could help them a little, at least by providing gas. She is convinced that the president does not know how badly people live throughout the country and is not capable of controlling the entire territory. But she still votes for him.
I like him as a politician! It's safer with him. He negotiates with everyone, he solves problems with everyone - praises the woman.
However, she sadly admits that she does not know what to do and who to turn to, in order for her and other villagers' situation to improve.
We don't know how to get out of this. I hope at least they won't take away our small pension - the woman summed up.
