Ural residents overpaid gas monopolists: FAS reveals systematic price gouging
After the reform of the gas equipment maintenance market, residents and management companies of the Sverdlovsk region effectively lost the ability to choose contractors. In Yekaterinburg and part of the Sverdlovsk region, this market became monopolized by JSC "GAZEKS" and JSC "Yekaterinburggaz," which belong to the same group. These companies were twice found to have violated antitrust laws in recent weeks due to inflated prices for mandatory services. At the same time, after the price lists were revised, the issue of refunding money already collected from the population and management companies was effectively sidelined. More details in the material of Nakanune.RU.
The Sverdlovsk OFAS found that JSC "GAZEKS" charged inflated fees for technical maintenance and repair of in-house and in-apartment gas equipment from January 2024 to December 2025. Following the review, the company was ordered to bring its price lists in line with methodological guidelines, which was subsequently implemented. In addition, the enterprise was held administratively liable. The fine amounted to 562.5 thousand rubles.
Similar claims were made against JSC "Yekaterinburggaz." The authorities found that from March 2025 to March 2026, the company unjustifiably inflated the cost of maintenance work for in-apartment gas equipment in apartment buildings and in-house gas equipment in individual homes. After the case was reviewed, the organization was also ordered to revise its price lists, and the administrative fine amounted to 562.5 thousand rubles.
The OFAS inspections were a continuation of the scandal that erupted after numerous complaints from residents. In particular, owners of private homes in Nizhny Tagil reported a sharp increase in the cost of mandatory gas boiler maintenance. According to residents, if in 2023 the work cost about 2.2 thousand rubles, a year later the price rose to 3.7 thousand, an increase of nearly 70%. After consumer complaints, the antimonopoly service launched an investigation.
Meanwhile, starting September 2023, legislation significantly restricted competition in the market. Previously, homeowners and management companies could choose among many specialized organizations, but after new requirements came into force, contracts could only be concluded with gas distribution organizations. Five GDOs operate in the Sverdlovsk region, but the largest players are "GAZEKS" and "Yekaterinburggaz," which are traditionally considered companies of the same group.
According to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, their founder was previously LLC "GAZEKS-Management," but now the ownership structure is hidden. In the market, the assets are linked to the business structures of billionaire Viktor Vekselberg. Both companies were at various times headed by the current governor Denis Pasler. At the same time, no public complaints about maintenance costs have been reported from other market participants — State Unitary Enterprise SO "Gas Networks," JSC "Gazprom Gas Distribution Yekaterinburg," LLC "AlfaStroy," and JSC "Regiongaz-invest."
Market participants directly link the situation to the legislative monopolization of the industry. Before the reform, prices were kept in check by competition among dozens of organizations operating in the gas equipment maintenance market.
As Alexander Kolesnikov, a deputy of the Yekaterinburg City Duma and head of the REMP of the Zheleznodorozhny District, said, his management company fundamentally refused to work with "GAZEKS," preferring third-party organizations, and the reason was not only the rates. According to the interlocutor, during a period of staff shortages, gas workers could shut off entire houses in the event of accidents and leave them without gas for several days, suggesting that dissatisfied customers find other contractors. At that time, such an option existed, and management companies used the services of other specialized organizations. In addition, the REMP of the Zheleznodorozhny District at one time obtained a court decision recognizing the separate fee for part of the maintenance work as unlawful, proving that it was already included in the cost of gas supply.
After changes in legislation, the alternative disappeared.
According to Kolesnikov, many management companies refused to accept the new rates and tried to resolve the conflict through negotiations. The issue was repeatedly discussed at meetings with Vice-Governor Alexei Shmykov, with the participation of representatives of the Regional Energy Commission, the management of "GAZEKS," and management organizations, but no compromise was reached. After that, some companies turned to arbitration. In particular, according to the deputy, the management company "Chkalovskaya" was involved in a court dispute, which, according to preliminary information, after losing the first instance, decided to appeal the decision.
"Previously, you could choose. We had 'Plasma' and other organizations. Then the law changed, and only these gentlemen remained. Now they set prices like monopolists — both 'GAZEKS' and 'Yekaterinburggaz.' Many management companies have gone to court because they disagree with these rates. But so far there is no solution. And separately, the question remains of what to do with the money already collected at inflated rates. As far as I understand, no one is going to return it," said Alexander Kolesnikov.
