All liquor stores (alco-markets) have closed in the Vologda Oblast.

Governor Georgy Filimonov announced that the concept of a “liquor store” no longer exists in the region.

“As promised, all 610 liquor stores in the Vologda Oblast have closed, stopped selling alcohol, or have been repurposed. These figures were achieved, in part, by repurposing stores that sold alcohol,” stated the country’s chief alcohol prohibitionist with pride.

A similar approach was taken with “nalivayki” (literally, “watering holes”). Already, 75 of the 125 such establishments have closed or been repurposed as cafes.

According to RIA Novosti, alcohol consumption in Russia reached its lowest level since 1999 in September 2025, citing data from the Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System (EMISS).

Last month, per capita alcohol consumption over the past year was 7.84 liters. The last time this level was reached was 26 years ago. In August, the same figure was 7.93 liters.

According to EMISS, the average Muscovite consumed 4.91 liters of alcohol, while the average St. Petersburg resident consumed 6.55 liters. The lowest alcohol consumption in the country is in the North Caucasus regions: Chechnya drinks the least, at just 0.13 liters.

Russian authorities plan to reduce annual alcohol consumption to 7.8 liters by 2030. This concept was first approved in 2009, when per capita ethanol consumption was 18 liters per year. The amount of 7.8 libers per year is lower than many European countries.

Regions have the right to independently set restrictions on the hours and conditions of alcohol sales. For example, looking again at the Vologda Oblast, since March 1st 2025, alcohol can only be purchased on weekdays from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Authorities in the Altai Republic plan to completely ban the sale of alcoholic beverages on weekends and holidays.