In the occupied city of Severodonetsk, one of the first steps taken by the russian authorities was conducting a population census.
As of today, about 8,000 people remain in the city.
The occupiers explained the census of residents, most of whom are senior citizens, by the fact that it was necessary for the further payment of pensions.
The head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Haidai, claims that the russians needed a census of residents in order to send them later to work on clearing the rubble.
“Many were interested in why the occupiers needed to quickly conduct a population census. One of the reasons is the formation of the register of retirees. According to our information, in a few days about 220 citizens of Severodonetsk applied for registration of pensions. This is out of the remaining 8,000 population.”
It is currently unknown whether the russians will pay them pensions. However, the occupation authorities have already adopted a resolution that “...gives the right to retirees to take part in works of a temporary nature...” That is why, they collected personal data and allowed people to participate in clearing the rubble. “Probably, this could not be done without “permission”. They found a workforce,” Haidai wrote in his Telegram channel.
The russian army seized Severodonetsk at the end of June.
“The city is completely under the occupation of the russian federation. They are trying to impose their orders there, they have appointed their commandant, who is gathering some assets there. The condition of the city is so difficult that it will be complicated for people to cope with this situation,” Severodonetsk mayor Oleksandr Striuk said on the air of the nationwide telethon.