Kokov's data on average incomes caused skepticism among the residents of Kabardino-Balkaria.

In Kabardino-Balkaria, the average expenses for utility services amount to seven thousand rubles per month, while the average salary is 55 thousand rubles, said Kazbek Kokov. Local residents, commenting on his words on social media, stated that real incomes are several times lower. They urged the head of the republic to use reliable data on the population's standard of living.

According to the head of Kabardino-Balkaria, Kazbek Kokov, the average monthly expenses for utilities in the republic are about seven thousand rubles, while the average income of the population is 55 thousand rubles. Kokov made these remarks during a meeting with subordinates. A video with Kokov was published on October 18 by the Instagram*-public _07_kbr.

This post in the Instagram*-public _07_kbr, which has about 221.2 thousand followers, had garnered 236 likes and 501 comments by 09:50 Moscow time on October 19. Residents of the republic reacted with irony and skepticism to Kokov's data on the average per capita income of 55 thousand rubles. "From which planet are you, dear head of the republic!?" asked nagoeva1705.

"It's funny. Raise your hands if your salary is 55 thousand?" wrote 707svetik.

"55 thousand? Claims to have seen it in a dream," sarcastically remarked lidiia66856.

Other residents cited their own salaries and pensions, which were significantly lower than the stated amount. "I have a salary of 24 thousand, I am a high-altitude rescuer," pointed out shamil7270500.

"I worked last school year at a school. My salary is 27 thousand including the rural allowance, minus 1600 rubles for transportation, and they constantly deduct for community service or something else. Try living on this salary. What 55 thousand are you talking about?!" asked adiga_mum.

"My pension is 18,600 rubles. A one-bedroom apartment costs 6,000 rubles plus medicines 6–7 thousand rubles. I have 5,600 rubles left for living expenses for the month. You, officials, cannot understand ordinary people. And where do you get a salary of 55 thousand rubles, who receives it?" exclaimed tligachevamari.

Commentators also reproached Kokov for being disconnected from the everyday life of the residents of the republic. "How far you are from the real life of ordinary people!" noted natalia_geor_.

"Kazbek Valeryevich, talk to the residents of the republic, they will tell you who earns how much and what it is enough for," advised user a673f.

"Why gather deputies, gather the people and, having listened to them, you will understand how they live," believes t.z.t.z_ttt.

Caucasian Knot also reported that residents of Kabardino-Balkaria regularly complain about the discrepancy between official income figures and their actual earnings and expenses. Thus, on September 30, they reported that utility tariffs are rising faster than salaries and pensions, and further increases will make utility payments unaffordable for many. On September 26, residents of the republic skeptically assessed the increase in the minimum wage to 28,935 rubles and pointed out that rising prices and tariffs could negate its effect. On September 12, residents of the republic doubted the Rosstat data on the average salary of 114,743 rubles, stating that their incomes are significantly lower.