Kukharau Assures There Is and Will Be No Charge for Driving Into Central Minsk

Reform.news · 8 October 2026, 21:26

https://reform.news/en/kukharau-assures-there-is-and-will-be-no-charge-for-driving-into-central-minsk/

Minsk has no plans to introduce a charge for driving into the city center, although the number of paid parking spaces there will increase. Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee Uladzimir Kukharau said this on October 8 during a meeting with employees of Elema OJSC, Minsk-Novosti reports.

“There is no charge for driving into central Minsk, and there will not be one. At the same time, the system of paid parking in the city center is being expanded,” he assured. “With a few exceptions, fees at such parking facilities apply during daytime hours on weekdays. This is designed so that residents of nearby buildings can park there free of charge when they return from work.”

According to Kukharau, about 10,000 paid parking spaces have already been created within the city’s first and second ring roads.

“Their number will increase over time. Those who come to the center of the capital on business have a choice: pay for parking or use public transport, either surface transport or the metro,” he said.

The meeting also included a question about prospects for building new shopping centers. According to the head of the Minsk City Executive Committee, land plots for such facilities have not been offered at auction for several years.

“There are currently more than 100 shopping centers in the city. They are distributed relatively evenly across Minsk. Therefore, priority is being given to creating small neighborhood stores within walking distance. Incidentally, Minsk currently has about 11,500 stores of various kinds where people can buy everything they need,” he said.