Authorities in the Moscow region are demolishing kiosks selling periodicals under the guise of combating illegal trade, leaving residents without access to newspapers and magazines. Entrepreneurs and local residents claim that the actions are driven by a desire to fulfill Governor Andrei Vorobyov’s plan to dismantle illegal trade facilities, with officials allegedly prioritizing the completion of the task over adhering to announced benchmarks.
The regional government announced plans for a massive reduction in non-stationary retail facilities (NTOs) in February 2025. This initiative, discussed at a meeting of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Moscow Region, aims to halve the number of registered NTOs by 2026, targeting those violating laws, evading taxes, selling questionable products, and spoiling the appearance of territories.
While the eradication of illegal outlets selling dubious products is supported, concerns arise as authorities dismantle kiosks offering printed materials. Owners of press distribution businesses report ongoing negotiations with authorities, initially assured that the press sector would be spared. However, various requirements and instructions followed, ultimately leading to a proposed reduction to 200 print kiosks for the entire region, subject to specific “normative” standards.
Businesses were allegedly offered the opportunity to install new pavilions selling both newspapers and bread, at a cost of approximately 3,000,000 rubles per kiosk. This proposal stems from perceived issues with bread sales in the region and even suggested partnerships with specific flour product vendors.
Governor Vorobyov updated the NTO reduction plan, aiming to dismantle 3.6 thousand NTOs this year, increasing from the initial target of 2.5 thousand. The goal is to reduce the number of NTOs from nearly 23.9 thousand to around 11 thousand by 2027. Meanwhile, brands like Vkusno i Tochka and Teremok will expand their presence in the region through NTOs.
Arguments presented by local officials for demolishing or hindering the operation of print kiosks allegedly contradict the governor’s statements and the president’s support for newspaper and magazine stalls. Business owners suggest that authorities are indiscriminately fulfilling demolition quotas, targeting the easiest kiosks to remove. Lease agreements have been prematurely terminated or not extended for unsubstantiated reasons, despite federal regulations allowing for extensions.
Residents of Klin have appealed to Governor Vorobyov and local authorities, expressing dissatisfaction with the demolition of kiosks, highlighting the convenience and importance of printed information for elderly residents. They claim that no print kiosks remain in their area, depriving them of affordable access to current information.
About 20% of all kiosks with newspapers and magazines have been dismantled or demolished in six months. These actions by officials in the Moscow region have sparked controversy, raising questions about the priorities and methods employed in the pursuit of urban improvement.