In war-torn Siverodonetsk, 80% of housing stock destroyed

That’s according to the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, Serhii Haidai, Ukrinform reports.

According to the official, "allegedly, since October 11, the checkpoints between the so-called ‘LPR’ and Russia have been taken down. On paper. However, the residents of Luhansk region complain every day about the strengthening of customs routine targeting them."

In particular, Haidai noted, at the Dovzhanskyi checkpoint, those willing to cross into the Russian Federation stand in line for more than two hours, waiting for permission.

"Perhaps the customs officials have money issues, just like the militants, who have not been able to receive the scheduled payments for more than a month. Although they know that no matter what, the new Lada will be there. It makes sense to fight," the head of the administration said, hinting at a Russian practice of granting a new Russian-made car to families of soldiers killed in action.

According to Haidai, up to 10,000 residents remain in Siverodonetsk today. In the city, 80% of the housing stock has been destroyed, "not to mention the lack of infrastructure. However, throughout the four months of occupation, no one even thought of restoring anything, even for propaganda purposes. They announced before the pseudo-referendum that they would pay compensation for the destroyed homes, but people never saw the money," he stressed.

In addition, the head of the administration reported that this week "suddenly, following instruction from Luhansk, 38 people from Siverodonetsk were found who were supposedly given money. And there are nine more who are also ready to receive it. Who are these people? And why are there so few of them? I would like to see their faces."

As reported by Ukrinform, referring to Haidai, mobilized Russian soldiers, who were brought in large numbers to the temporarily captured towns of Rubizhne and Siverodonetsk, Luhansk region, are settling in apartments left by Ukrainians.