Towards the end of the Soviet Union, the big enticement to work up north was being paid in hard currency. Pounds, Deutschmarks, Dollars. With that access to the special stores.
Ah yes, I heard about the “special stores” in Poland where you could buy Western goods, but only if you had real (non-Communist) currency.
It still is, at least in cities with functional economy. Still true for the federal workers in Vorkuta right now. I believe a cop in Vorkuta was paid no less than his NYC counterpart in 2013. And he has a right to retirement ufter just 10 years of working in such a place. The same goes for the military personnel although the pay is slightly lower than in low enforcement.
Civilians had it near as good until the economy worked.
I bet a person an article written above used to have European vacation twice a year.
There are booms and busts and it is not unique to Russia. Every country has such cities.