[XabbaRus]

Originally Posted by Stanny

I will say again,Russia and all countries of ex-Soviet Zone more or less are lacking the middle class segment of society.Middle class term is used to describe people who gain normal (medium) profits.Those people who do not drive Bugatti Veyron but do not feel the lack of money for all necessary things in everyday life (healthcare,higher education,real estate).That are the people,whom you will normally see forming the biggest part of population in older EU countries and U.S.A.

Where have you been to Russia?Were you visiting little towns or villages in Siberia?Most of the russians live there.

I understand that Moscow is all shining with Rolex watches and Ferrari cars,and these toys bought for oil money do impress,but Moscow is not the Russia.Even russians think so.

No need to say again, as that didn't answer my question, I know Russia lacks a large middle class but it is growing.

As a matter of fact I did live in Siberia for 9 months, Tomsk to be exact.

Also lived in Voronezh (1996) aswell as St Petersburg (1997) and Moscow 3 years.

During my time there I visited Pskov, Gelendzhik, Novorossisk, various towns around Moscow so I have travelled quite a lot there and since it was by trains passed through some grim towns for sure, but to say extreme poverty isn't accurate for all other places in Russia outside of Moscow, Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.

So again specify extreme poverty. eg, lack of access to clean water, house, heating, food etc...ie bin raking to find food as the norm, begging as the norm.