The city is located on the outskirts of one of the poorest regions of Russia. Only the employees of the colonies, the FSB and the military earn well in it, write BBC.
The development of Rubtsovsk ended in the 90s, when the main enterprise of the city was closed. It was founded here in 1942 on the basis of tractor factories evacuated from Kharkov, Odesa and Stalingrad, but now only the ruins of buildings remind of the powerful industry of the city.
Architectural style of new buildings of Rubtsov. Photo: BBC
The main architectural landmark of the city - the "House under the Spire" turned into the same ruin. For about 70 years, the building, located in the center of the city, was in demand among tourists, it was even depicted on postcards. However, the authorities were not interested in repairing the architectural monument - in 2021, the building collapsed.
The state of the "House under the Spire" before it collapsed. Photo: rubtsovskmv.ru
"House under the spire" after the destruction. Photo: vesti22.tv
500 meters from the destroyed historical monument, on the main city square of Lenin, there is a Stalinist building, the facade of which is plastered with fat patches made of putty.
In April, two black banners with the letters Z and V were hung on it to constantly remind local residents of the military invasion of Ukraine.
This is what buildings in the city center look like. Photo: BBC
For nearly 150 residents of Rubtsovsk, there are two cinemas, "Rainduga" and "Perlyna". Currently, they only show Russian films. The city has several shopping centers, barbecue joints and dozens of beer halls.
The development of the city is also "halting" - garbage is rarely taken out, roads are in potholes.
This is what the road looks like near the House of Culture of Tractor Builders. Photo: nesiditsa.ru
At the beginning of April, a part of the wall collapsed in one of the residential buildings, and in the building where the police department was located, a toilet fell into the basement.
A residential building in which a wall collapsed. Photo: BBC
Several vape shops and an office of the SDEK delivery service operate on the potholed central streets, where, according to the Dossier Center's investigation, the Rubtsov military tried to send 130 parcels of stolen items from Ukrainian homes.
Michael the Archangel Church. According to Russian media, it is the city's grandest landmark. Photo: nesiditsa.ru
It is worth noting that the Altai region is truly considered one of the poorest regions of Russia. Here, almost 20% of the population lives below the poverty line, that is, it has an income of less than 11 rubles a month. The average salary is 31 thousand rubles, and about 45% of the residents of the region receive more than 10 thousand rubles.
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