Is this based on your experience?
Yes. I was living in Samara oblast.
Fortunately enough I never experienced the same in cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg, but I was also not driving by myself there.
4-star hotels may be cheaper in Russia than other countries.
5-star hotels are still crazily expensive (especially in Moscow, may be the addition of the new Four Seasons will positively introduce more competition).
Imported goods are also quite expensive, but I guess nobody goes to Russia to buy souvenirs in high-end Italian or French boutiques.
