High prices force Europeans to spend winter in Russia

German residents have started coming to Kaliningrad for the winter because of high utility prices, RIA Novosti quoted regional governor Anton Alikhanov as saying.

"There are individual Germans who come to us for the winter. Renting an apartment and paying for utilities for four months in Kaliningrad is like one month somewhere in Dusseldorf. We had a conversation with a particular German. We asked him, what are you doing here, and he said, 'We're coming to you for the winter,'" said Alikhanov.

He added that this is a great opportunity for residents of the region who rent apartments to earn money and noted that electronic visas for entering Russia should be returned as soon as possible.

The head of the region is also sure that in addition to residents of Germany, other Europeans will come to Russia for the winter.