Occupation authorities in Luhansk region threaten to seize housing over utility debts

Threat of property seizure over utility debts

In the temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk region, Russian occupiers are threatening to seize the apartments and houses of residents due to outstanding debts for utility services. According to Serhiy Kharchenko, head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, property for which owners have not made payments for 12 months or longer may be subject to so-called "nationalisation".

The occupation authorities do not take into account the income levels of citizens or the specific circumstances that led to the debt. This particularly concerns people who may have left frontline areas to ensure the safety of their children. As Serhiy Kharchenko noted, if there is a debt accumulated over the last year, the Russians are "squeezing" the property.

Thus, non-payment of utility services for a year becomes a reason for the occupiers to include housing in the lists of property they plan to "nationalise".

Dismantling of damaged buildings in Sievierodonetsk

Meanwhile, in the temporarily occupied Sievierodonetsk, Russians continue to dismantle multi-storey buildings that were damaged during the storming of the city. According to Serhiy Kharchenko, the occupiers promised for years to restore these buildings, but now, instead of repairing them, they are dismantling them.

In October, two more multi-storey buildings are planned to be dismantled. At the same time, as the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration noted, owners of apartments who are losing their housing as a result of the dismantling have not been provided with new accommodation.