dw.com
Russian Coffin Prices Soar 74% Since War Began
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the cost of making a coffin in Russia has risen by 74 percent, reaching 7711 rubles in October 2024, driven by increased raw material costs. The price of digging a grave has also increased by 30 percent, while independent reports estimate tens of thousands of Russian military deaths.
- How do regional variations in coffin price increases reflect the broader economic and social impacts of the war in Russia?
- The sharpest increase in coffin prices occurred shortly after the Russian mobilization announcement in September 2022, with prices jumping by a third. Regional variations are significant; in some areas, coffin prices increased by over 100 percent. These increases directly reflect the war's impact on resource costs and the increased demand for funeral services. The cost of organizing a funeral in Russia now starts at 50,000 rubles.
- What is the total percentage increase in the cost of making a coffin in Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine, and what are the primary factors contributing to this increase?
- The cost of making a coffin in Russia has increased by 74 percent since the start of the war in Ukraine, rising from 4437 rubles in January 2022 to 7711 rubles in October 2024. This significant price increase is attributed to the rising costs of raw materials such as wood and metal. The increase in the cost of burial services is also substantial, with the price of digging a grave rising by 30 percent during the same period.
- Considering the discrepancy between official death tolls and the substantial increase in funeral service costs, what inferences can be drawn about the true scale of Russian military casualties in the Ukraine conflict?
- The substantial increase in coffin and burial prices in Russia reveals not only economic consequences of the war but also indicates a significant and likely underreported death toll. While official figures are far lower, independent reporting suggests that tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have perished in the conflict. The continued rise in prices suggests a persistent and substantial demand for these services, potentially implying a sustained level of military casualties.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the economic consequences of the war by focusing on the increased costs of funeral services. While this is a relevant aspect, the focus might disproportionately emphasize a specific consequence compared to the broader human or geopolitical ramifications of the conflict. The headline, were one to be created, would heavily influence the overall impression.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and factual, relying on statistical data and quotes from news sources. Words such as " стремительный рост цен" (rapid price growth) are descriptive but not inherently biased. However, the phrase "новый виток похоронной инфляции" ('a new round of funeral inflation') could be seen as slightly sensationalized.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the rising cost of caskets and burial services in Russia, potentially omitting other economic consequences of the war. While mentioning increased costs for digging graves and overall funeral expenses, it lacks a broader analysis of the economic impact on the Russian population. The article also mentions different casualty figures from various sources but does not offer analysis or comparison of these figures and their methodologies, leaving the reader to interpret the discrepancies without context.
Sustainable Development Goals
The significant increase in the cost of coffins and burial services in Russia, as a result of the war in Ukraine, disproportionately affects low-income families who may struggle to afford funeral expenses, thus exacerbating existing inequalities and potentially pushing some into poverty. The rising costs also indirectly impact other aspects of life, such as the emotional burden on families struggling financially during times of grief and loss.