The Russian Ministry of Finance announced that the price of vodka in the country will increase due to rising production costs and ethyl alcohol. The information was reported by the state news agency RIA Novosti.
The decision was also driven by economic sanctions from the West since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, making it difficult to import equipment and raw materials. The new prices will take effect in January 2023.
With the regulation, the minimum price of strong alcohol for retail – including vodka – will increase from 261 rubles (R$24.07) to 281 rubles (R$25.92). Cognacs will go from 349 rubles (R$32.19) to 375 rubles (R$34.59).
Russia said it maintains the minimum price for strong alcohol to prevent the sale of cheap fakes.
The announcement came amid protests in Russia against attempts to flee and against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to mobilize 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine. Footage shared on social media last week showed a supposedly drunk man staggering off an airport runway before boarding a mobilization flight.
In the same video, another man appears to be sleeping on the airport floor.
source: Noticias
