Vast segment of Russian society in grips of poverty

More than 40 percent of all Russians now live beneath the poverty line, officials say

June 21, 2000
Web posted at: 10:13 p.m. EDT (0213 GMT)

In this story: Surviving on less than $40 a month Classroom is home for teacher and family RELATED STORIES, SITES

MOSCOW (CNN) -- New figures show a steep rise in poverty across Russia, with officials saying the number of Russians now living in poverty topping more than 40 percent of the population.

As a result, the future appears increasingly insecure for many Russians.

VIDEO Reporter Matthew Chance looks at the growing problem of poverty in Russia. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     MESSAGE BOARD Changes in Russia

"I don't understand what has happened to my country," said a Moscow man who came out in the pouring rain for his only hot meal of the day, served up by a charity soup kitchen. "In Soviet times we were promised a bright future, and we believed it. I never imagined the Russian people would have to suffer so much."

Around him others bring canisters to gather their hot meal. Some have worked their whole lives, but have fallen to this. And there is disbelief.

Charity workers hand out hot soup and bread to the homeless in Moscow

The facts are written across the faces of the people: A decade since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the suffering only gets worse.

The poverty strikes across social lines as more and more professionals, teachers and office workers survive on less than 1,100 rubles ($40) a month.

A man who once piloted military helicopters in combat now sings on the street for his supper. The few coins he gets, he says, will feed his family at least one more meal.

It is a scene of hardship repeated across this vast country. But the poorest of the poor are just the most visible sign of a growing Russian problem.

Tatyana and her two sons stand in the doorway of the school where they live

On the outskirts of Moscow, a school teacher named Tatyana is literally raising her children in the classroom, living in the school and using the classrooms as a home.

She says the school principal lets her stay here against the rules. And with wages the equivalent of less than $1 a day, she couldn't stay anywhere else.

"What happens to us," she asks, "if we ever have to leave?"

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