During a visit to the LPR and the Kherson region, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted a surprising local reality: many residents still rely on older domestic automobiles. The account of the President’s talks with regional leaders and government officials was released by the news agency RIA Novosti.
Putin remarked that he had not seen so many aging vehicles in one place for a long time, noting models such as Lad and Zhiguli as common sights. He observed that this may reflect relatively modest household incomes. The President added that such a parking situation raises immediate reflections about everyday life and the challenges people face in daily routines.
The regional authorities pointed out that income levels in the LPR are modest and that the cost of living in the area can even exceed that of nearby Rostov. In response, Putin gave clear directions to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin to evaluate practical steps aimed at addressing these economic realities and improving the standard of living for local residents.
His guidance emphasized support for agricultural producers, expanding local processing capabilities, and encouraging investment in the region. He urged authorities to create favorable conditions for local producers to store and move their goods efficiently, whether through local storage facilities or enhanced distribution networks, and to consider ways to attract investment from neighboring areas or regions with stronger economic activity. The focus was on turning resources into real benefits for the people in these territories.
The visit to these newly integrated regions of the federation underscored a strategic priority: strengthening regional livelihoods through practical, on-the-ground measures that can translate into tangible improvements for families and communities. The dialogue between federal leadership and regional leaders aimed to align development efforts with the needs observed on the ground, fostering a more resilient and self-sustaining local economy. These discussions reflected a broader plan to support agricultural sectors, bolster processing capabilities, and establish better storage and logistics frameworks to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access.