Every day the occupying authorities report on the reconstruction of the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts and the alleged "restoration of comfortable living conditions."They promise to provide housing and all communal services to the locals.However, promises do not always coincide with reality, or they are fulfilled for the sake of propaganda and showing the "happy" life in the occupation.
TRYBUN journalist analyzed the statements of the occupation authorities, the news of the so-called "LPR/DPR", local chats on social networks and found out the conditions under which people live in the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts.
New houses in Mariupol
As a result of hostilities in the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, residential buildings and other things have been partially or completely destroyed.The Russian authorities assure that they are ready not only to restore housing for local people, but also to build entire cities.
Mariupol in Donetsk oblast is considered to be an example.
"Vesty RU" reported on May 21, 2023 that "Mariupol is essentially being rebuilt by a team from ten regions of Russia...Entire districts have been destroyed, but between them - here and there - oases of new residential construction are being built.
The text also notes that active repair work is ongoing: wiring is being changed in the houses, new entrance doors and windows are being installed. The Russians plan to complete most of the works by September 1.The occupiers promise to restore Mariupol completely.
The Russians showed the new residential complexes in Mariupol.
However, the locals show other footage - a woman from Mariupol who got an apartment after the occupiers "renovated" shows that there are only windows and pipes in the new apartment.And it should be suitable for life according to the local authorities.
"Instead of a renovated apartment, she saw an uninhabitable place. There is no floor, no walls, no ceiling.The occupiers only installed windows and pipes. The owner does not know what to do next. After all, the invaders have completed the "work".This is how dozens of houses were "restored". From the outside, they look like new, but inside - semi-dilapidated apartments."
The entrances have been renovated much better. In the video, the woman says that "everyone has the same entrance door on the landing. The plastered entrance is beautiful. Everything is done well. Boxes are hanging."
What about heating in the occupied Luhansk oblast?
In the winter period, heating became an acute issue. After all, there is no heating supply in most of the occupied settlements of Luhansk oblast.The Russian authorities claim that the heating season will begin.
The occupation administration of Rubizhne stated on January 1, 2023 that “The Republic of Tatarstan is helping Rubezhne public utilities in repairing the heat supply system and closing the heat circuit of residential buildings and social facilities.”
In local chats, people living in Rubizhne are surprised by such statements and write that there is no question of restoring the heating. Comments from December 3, 2023.
“What kind of heating? In the city, the pipes are all cut out in basements and apartments”
“Firstly, everyone is acting, and secondly, by what winter? What year? It's already winter. Another write-off.”
“In the city, the windows are covered with plastic wrap in the entrances and apartments, what kind of heating is there?”
Sievierodonetsk also remains without heating.
In chats on April 4, 2023, residents say that “On Kurchatova 17 for heating: They did pressure testing, but so far they have lowered it again. There are no rips or drips. But the boiler room is not ready yet.”
On December 5, 2023, a woman from Sievierodonetsk, who is currently in the city, told the occupiers in an interview about the situation in the city, in particular, the lack of heating.
Water supply is a problem that has not been solved in the occupation since 2014.
There have been problems with water supply in the temporarily occupied Luhansk oblast since 2014.During a full-scale invasion, the situation worsened further due to the destruction of supply facilities.
The Russian authorities promise to solve this problem as well.On October 21, 2023, the so-called head of the "LPR" Leonid Pasichnyk informed that "an additional water intake has been put into operation, which will improve the city's water supply."
He said that “due to the new water intake, the situation would improve not only in Kirovsk, but also in Alchevsk, Bryanka, Stakhanov, and other settlements of the republic.”
The residents of Pervomaisk, which has been occupied since 2014, constantly complain about the lack of water from taps.In this regard, daily water delivery is organized for the locals.
As of December 5, 2023, the residents of Pervomaisk continue to complain about the lack of water.
“The water has been constant since 2014. Not from a crane, but cars were brought into yards.Now neither one nor the other. That's why people are indignant. During shelling, vehicles delivered water.”
Problems with water supply also exist in the newly occupied territories, for example, in Lysychansk.On November 16, 2023, locals wrote that they were forced to carry water from the pond for their needs.
“Do people only live in the city center? Area of Lysychansk rubber products plant, Stekolnoe, Matrosskaya, etc., are there no residents there? And you don't need water there? No conscience at all! People carry water from ponds to do something!”
The situation with water supply is complicated by constant accidents and repair works. After analyzing the "official channel" of "Luhanskvoda", it becomes clear: almost every day, thousands of subscribers remain without water for various periods.
The accident at the Slovianoserbsk pumping station, which occurred on December 5, 2023, left 200,000 residents without water.
“Due to the accident at the station, about 200 thousand residents of the Republic were left without water. The water supply to parts of Slavianoserbsk and Perevalsk raions, Alchevsk, Stakhanov, Irmino, Almaznaya, Bryanka, Kirovsk and Pervomaisk has stopped.”
An ordinary household problem became the last straw in the patience of the residents of the occupied Luhansk oblast.
In correspondence dated December 5, 2023, locals from Alchevsk and other cities told how often there is no water supply and what the so-called "local government" is lying about.
What is known about dormitories in the occupied Luhansk oblast?
In the settlements of Luhansk oblast, which were occupied during the full-scale war, the Russian authorities demonstrate active repair work and a rapid reconstruction process.This is part of the propaganda. In this way, the occupiers assure people that the "republics" and the Russian Federation care about them, they are interested in the territory and establishing a peaceful life. It is known as the narrative "Ukraine destroyed - Russia rebuilt".
For example, in Sievierodonetsk, the Russians renovated a dormitory for internally displaced persons. On August 1, 2023, "Luhansk Information Center" published an interview with the commandant of the Sievierodonetsk accommodation point about living conditions.
"We are fine. Russia made repairs, everything here was broken. The roof was covered, windows were installed, the heating was changed, showers and kitchens were installed.We are fully prepared for the heating season. We always have electricity and hot water."
At the same time, the occupiers "forgot" about students in Luhansk, namely, about their living conditions in one of the dormitories of the Luhansk National University named after Volodymyr Dahl, which has been under the "authority" of the "LPR" since 2014.
Since November 24, 2023, a video from a university student about dormitory №3 has been circulating online. The girl showed the conditions in which young people live.
The video shows: dormitory corridor, painted and damaged walls, shower room, toilet, kitchen. The condition of all the rooms is terrible. Repair work was not carried out here for a long time.
The girl shared her impressions.
“The first floor may still be good, but the higher you go, the worse it is a hundred times. On the 5th floor it is 1000 times worse. You can't pick up the words. 5th floor. They smoke everywhere, you can’t breathe. There is no kitchen, tables, sinks...
The toilet on one side is closed, on the other side it is already clogged, no one is flushing after themselves, the toilets are full.On the 4th floor too. The last time the drain tanks were changed was never. The drain was never cleaned either. The shower is in the basement. The unsanitary conditions are complete. Children should not live in such a dormitory.Excuse me, but this is the center of the Institute named after Dahl? And the impression is that this is a slum, a homeless place... Where are the management looking? If you cannot provide all this, then close it!”
Therefore, the pro-Russian media releases a lot of news about the processes of restoration and reconstruction in occupied Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. However, not all repairs or their results are true. Russia continues to conduct propaganda, talk about a "happy" life under occupation and misinform the world.
Author: Yuliia Kanzeba
