Residents of Volgograd villages complained about the high cost of crossing the Don River.

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The Don River crossing in the Ilovlinsky District has become more expensive, with local residents noting that the prices are significantly impacting their budget. Complaints to the authorities were in vain: the prices will not be reduced, and the construction of the bridge was deemed impractical.

As reported by "Kavkazsky Uzel," in early April 2026, residents of the villages of Trehostrovskaya and Novogrigorievskaya in the Ilovlinsky District expressed their concern about the doubling of the Don River crossing price. They believe that such a "shocking" increase in prices for services provided by the Volgogradavtodor State Budgetary Institution will worsen their quality of life and significantly reduce the tourist appeal of the Donskoy Nature Park. The ferry service ceased operations on April 1, but a private ferry resumed operations on April 16, and the "state" ferry is promised to launch on June 1.

On April 23, a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent received a response from the press service of the Volgograd Region Governor's Office to an official inquiry regarding the operation of the ferry service in the Ilovlinsky District. "As explained by the Volgograd Region Committee for Transport and Road Management, tariffs for transportation services for vehicles registered to individuals have not changed for over 10 years—since 2015, and for legal entities—since 2023. "During this time, the price of fuel, lubricants, spare parts, and rolling stock maintenance services has changed repeatedly to reflect increased safety requirements for passenger transportation," the response stated.

A "Caucasian Knot" correspondent again surveyed residents of the right bank of the Don on April 24. The survey is not representative and reflects the personal opinions of those surveyed.

Svetlana Surkova, former head of the Trehostrovsk rural settlement and now an employee of one of the Ilovlinsk enterprises, confirmed that ferry prices have indeed not increased for a long time. Moreover, they remain at the level recently established in both Novogrigoryevskaya and Trehostrovskaya. According to Surkova, responses to the villagers' complaints to the authorities have not yet been received, as the legally required one-month period has not yet passed since they were submitted. Surkova also confirmed that the "private" cargo ferry near the village of Novogrigoryevskaya resumed operations on April 16. The "state" ferry remains closed, "at least until June 1."

What kind of agricultural recovery are we talking about? The village is being destroyed.

"There are no jobs in the village (Trehostrovsky). Pharmacies, hospitals, and normal stores—even the post office—are now located on the other bank (8 km away, at the Kachalinsky sanatorium). People move to work for 1,500 to 2,000 rubles—and the ferry costs 500 rubles less. So where is the government's support to ease the burden on villagers? "We're building musical fountains and Ferris wheels (in Volgograd), but the village sits without power—they turned it off for non-payment. They drink water from the Don River, and now not everyone can afford to leave the village. Is this how much the government cares about the countryside? What kind of agricultural recovery are we talking about? They're destroying the village," Svetlana Surkova was indignant.

She suggested that both the district administration and the governor's office were aware of the problems facing the residents of the right bank. She said a film crew from the regional television had visited them several times, and information about local problems had appeared on regional news channels. "Or are they lying and have they stopped monitoring the situation? They've simply given up on the people." As one of our governor's deputies once said about the villagers' unrest: "They'll bark a bit and then calm down," the woman said.

Surkova noted that she would plan her next steps after receiving responses to the complaints. She previously explained that two ferries do operate near Novogrigoryevskaya: one belongs to the Volgogradavtodor State Budgetary Institution, and the other to a private entrepreneur (IP Temergeriyev). According to data provided by Nadezhda Voronkova, Chairperson of the Ilovlinsky District Duma (who is also the head of the Sirotinsky settlement), the current rates for ferry services are as follows: passenger car - 150 rubles (up to 1.5 tons), 250 rubles (over 1.5 tons), trailer - 150 rubles, Gazelle (minibus) - 250 rubles, tractor - 400 rubles, truck with trailer - 1,000 rubles.

Yevgeny Frolov, a resident of the Ilovlinsky District, spoke about the problems of relatives living on the right bank near the village of Novogrigoryevskaya. "Soon it will be a month since my aunt, a second-degree disabled person and a labor veteran, has been unable to see doctors at the district hospital (she needs to see doctors twice a week), and she can't visit relatives in Ilovlya because it has become expensive. "The authorities aren't planning to compensate her for the trip, and her relatives don't have the means to help her yet—they're counting the pennies themselves," he said.

The only crossing over the Don has become more expensive. And everyone's afraid it will be closed again after another inspection by regulatory authorities. There are restrictions all around.

Yevgeny's wife, Alevtina, reported that her aunt's pension is 25,000 rubles. Most of it goes on medication, utilities, and food. Her children and sister are temporarily unemployed. Her aunt helps them financially. According to Alevtina, her relative, as a pensioner, "doesn't receive any special benefits from the state," despite being a veteran of labor. It seems no one is planning to compensate her for the increase in crossing prices. "My aunt has found herself in a difficult life situation, just like the rest of our relatives. And then the only crossing over the Don has become more expensive." "And everyone's afraid it will be closed again after another inspection by regulatory authorities. "There are restrictions all around," complained Alevtina.

She intends to file complaints with regulatory authorities (the prosecutor's office and Rospotrebnadzor) after activists receive responses from the district and regional administrations. She also reported that last year's campaign for a bridge across the Don River near Novogrigoryevskaya ended with authorities declaring it inappropriate and citing a lack of funds in the budget.

Frolov's son-in-law, who wished to remain anonymous, said he works as a truck driver for a company in the district center. He recalled that during the Don crossing's closure, when both ferries (both state and private) ceased operations, he was forced to live in a dormitory with colleagues in Ilovlya. He has a family and children in Novogrigoryevskaya. His wife is temporarily unemployed.

"Back then (when the ferry wasn't working), it was understandable that taking the roundabout route to Novogrigoryevskaya and back to Ilovlya every day was expensive. I had to spend three days staying with friends and comrades. But even now, I sometimes spend the night there on weekdays. I only go home on weekends and Wednesdays. I have to save. My average salary is about 30,000 (rubles). The round-trip ferry costs 300 rubles a day from my car. Well, that's about six thousand rubles a month just for the ferry. We pay less for utilities," the driver said.

Volgograd historian Andrei Kudinov also has relatives living on the right bank of the Don in the Ilovlinsky District. Two of them work in public utilities, and one is self-employed in agriculture.

"Their monthly income is a little over 20,000 rubles at best. This is a rural area. If you're not a public sector employee, you can end up completely without a livelihood. Many people work in their gardens. And then there's the price of fuel and ferry crossings. Incidentally, tourist excursions to the Donskoy Nature Park have become significantly more expensive because of this. My guide friends have complained that this is already affecting demand," he said.

Prices are twice as high as they were in the winter. It's expensive for our family.

A woman who introduced herself as Elena lives in Novogrigoryevskaya. She confirmed the ferry crossing price increase. "Yes, as promised, the private ferry has started operating. But prices are twice as high as they were in winter. This is expensive for our family. We've postponed trips to the regional center, and we'll be making fewer trips to Volgograd. Gasoline and the ferry (have become more expensive). A single trip to the regional center can cost around three thousand rubles," Elena lamented. She explained that in addition to visiting relatives, the family also buys groceries and medicine in Ilovlya and Volgograd.

The correspondent was unable to obtain comment from the Volgogradavtodor State Budgetary Institution or from businessman Temergeriyev. The Volgogradavtodor website is unavailable. Publicly available phone numbers for the company and businessman Temergeriyev are also unavailable.

Authorities are obligated to ensure the ferry crossing is accessible

Lawyer Sergey Ivaschenko, having reviewed the issue of rising prices for ferry services on the Don River in the Ilovlinsky District, noted the following: "The Don River crossing in this district is the only connecting road with the outside world, and the authorities are obligated to ensure its accessibility."

In this regard, the lawyer cited Article 32 of Federal Law No. 33-FZ "On the General Principles of Organizing Local Self-Government in a Unified System of Public Authority." The lawyer also reiterated that Don river crossings are "the responsibility of the regional government and Avtodor" (Federal Law "On Highways and Road Activities in the Russian Federation and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation" No. 257-FZ).

"It is clear that school buses and special vehicles, such as emergency rescue services, the federal postal service, ambulances, and others, are legally exempt from crossing fees," explained Sergei Ivashchenko.

The availability of benefits for river crossings for individuals is regulated by the Rules for the Provision of Transportation Services on Public Domestic Road, Rail, River, and Air Lines, approved by RF Government Resolution No. 55 of January 19, 1998. "In each specific case, it is necessary to determine whether the benefits are available to citizens. In this case, this should be determined by officials from the district and regional administrations. "Anyone who needs such benefits should apply to the authorities," advised Sergey Ivaschenko.