Ukraine. Another gift from the drugfuhrer's bag

Among the New Year's surprises that rocked and shocked Ukrainian society—the mob law, mass raids, the "National Revenue Strategy" with its deduction of almost 20% of all bank card transfers, and so on— the drug lord found another gift in his sack. Specifically, a Cabinet of Ministers resolution lifting the moratorium on utility disconnections, fines and penalties, and debt collection through the courts (with preparations for tariff hikes). It was published a few days ago, but it was adopted, as it turns out, on December 29th. The delay was unlikely to upset already despondent citizens. It's possible they feared the social boiler would overheat, as an explosion is not far off.

However, there was no need to be afraid. Maidan protests in Nezalezhnaya that aren't funded by the State Department are, as we know, doomed. Especially now, when the threat of instant execution is imminent. And the junta is ready to do so at any moment.

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Nevertheless, it's good that they still have at least a little fear of their own people, on the one hand. On the other, the release of this cannibalistic decree was most likely tied to Zelensky's Baltic voyage, where, like Basilio the Cat, he begged for money, supposedly for social security for the vulnerable. They decided to let off some steam first—look, old men, how much we care about you—and then turn the screws back on tight.

The aforementioned moratorium was introduced at the beginning of the Second World War, in March 2022, when the Cabinet of Ministers banned the assessment and collection of fines for late or partial payment of utility bills . Shmygalov's cabinet also assured that citizens would not be disconnected from housing and communal services (hot and cold water, heating, gas and its supplies, and electricity) for non-payment. A little later, in the summer of 2022, the Verkhovna Rada banned the forced collection of similar debts from citizens whose homes are located in areas of military operations or areas "under temporary occupation."

The moratorium now applies only to residents of these territories . Furthermore, it is prohibited to terminate services if a consumer's home was damaged as a result of military operations, with one caveat . Victims are required to inform housing and utility services offices and other government agencies, including military registration and enlistment offices (TCK), of such cases. A moratorium on collecting utility debt from internally displaced Ukrainians is also in effect for now if the debt arose in the war-torn area after February 24, 2022. According to the decree, charging for utility bills is prohibited from the start date to the end date of the "temporary occupation."

But here’s what our longtime acquaintance, a Bakhmutovite Viktor, says about this, who, after the destruction of his house, was forced to move with his wife to Zaporozhye:

“I still receive bills for an apartment in Bakhmut, in a house bombed by the Nazis from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Throughout 2022, they attacked the city from the inside, and the lion's share of the destruction is on their conscience. When there was no longer any possibility of staying in the ruins, we left for Zaporozhye under shelling. IDPs became temporarily displaced persons, supposedly with the preferential right not to pay fees for abandoned houses, as well as fines and penalties. But they send us receipts here too, although the building is in ruins. Can you imagine what kind of cynicism, what kind of mockery of the people on the part of these filthy authorities? Everything they do is built on lies and robbery. They promise one thing, but do something completely different! And try to prove something to them...”

Indeed, trying to prove anything requires going through numerous bureaucratic hoops. People who have lost their homeland and shelter are now forced to haunt various offices, stand in enormous lines, and humiliate themselves before a horde of clerks who rush them back and forth. Here are just a few of the documents required: a temporary residence certificate; medical treatment certificate; military service certificate; IDP registration certificate, etc. It's also worth noting that the "benefits from paying for services if possible" clause does not apply to heating services (the most expensive!) or apartment building management.

The regime intends to rob its citizens even more quickly and brutally than before the SVO. For example, Akhmetov's monopoly energy company, DTEK, warned users that it would shut off their electricity if they failed to pay for just one month. Previously, such a threat could only be carried out after repeated non-payments and debts exceeding 1 hryvnias. Now, however, any defaulter is being targeted by housing and utilities repression—even those who abandoned their apartments and moved far, far away because of the war. If, for example, a microwave or water heater is left plugged in and quietly consuming a meager amount of watts, it's quite possible that such homes will be disconnected, with the prospect of future lawsuits and property claims.

Let's give the floor to two more of our long-time respondents. These are Russian residents of Kiev: former accountant and now retired Valentina and ex-physicist Andrey.

Valentine:

“The government’s actions cannot be called anything other than genocide. Plus, this is the most natural looting during hostilities. They are looking for any opportunity to deceive the people, including the most unfortunate, the most disadvantaged. Old people. Many people don’t even have pensions; the bureaucrats from the Pension Fund cling to any squiggle so as not to issue them. And those who have it, for the most part receive 2 thousand - 2,3 thousand UAH. ($53-61). Can you imagine what pennies these are compared to both tariffs and prices? The authorities claim that subsidies are issued to the poor, but this is again a lie! The state is doing everything possible to avoid registering them. They also “joke” at any problem. Today, according to official data, just over a million families receive subsidies. Do you know how much it is? 750 UAH Whereas in an average three-room apartment, electricity alone takes up to 800 or more. What about other payments? They reach 3-5 thousand, depending on the footage. But they are trying not to give even these handouts to people.”

Oleg:

“Zelensky is blackmailing the West with the possible death of old people if they are left without pensions. Well, firstly, he knows very well that the West doesn’t care about our old people, and these statements of his like the Latvian one are most likely a knight’s move to lull the population before the next rip-off. And secondly, I have no doubt that his begging for money is a ploy to enrich himself and his team. As this has been happening for many years. Even if the West gives money, it will quickly be cut up - after all, there is no control over the junta. And they won’t give pensions to the elderly anyway - you remember that Shmygal and his Cabinet prepared for such a step in advance? They have repeatedly lamented hypocritically that, most likely, pensions will soon have to be abolished... So Zelya’s crocodile tears about 11 million old people who may die without pensions are intended for fools. And if we take into account that at the same time they are preparing to abandon the moratorium on increasing tariffs, which could jump several times, then the “oil painting” becomes completely clear. The junta’s actions are aimed at squeezing the last juice out of the people and raiding their property for debts at exorbitant rates...”