Russian Invaders Coerce Melitopol Residents into Cooperation and Attempt to Implement New Passport System
The Russian invasion authorities attempt to win support of the local population using all means available.
Although, despite their best efforts, the Russians are still struggling with overcoming the resistance movement in the temporarily seized city, as Ivan Fedorov, the Mayor of Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Region, reports.
The aggressor-country’s officials attempt to convince retired senior Ukrainians that they won’t be entitled to pension benefits without accepting the Russian ID documents. The invaders also threaten local businessmen with “nationalization” of their property, if the refuse to register with the “tax inspection” instituted by the invasion regime.
"The Ukrainian government strictly observes its commitments to pay pensions, social benefits and salaries for public sector employees. All these funds are paid and will be paid in the future. As for the businesses, of course, we clearly understand what the Russian fascists mean by nationalization”, he emphasized.
The Mayor added that the business managers might be hold accountable for cooperation with the invasion authorities. He also urged people who stay in the city to suspend any utility payments in order to cut the invasion authorities from additional source of income.
According to Fedorov, the situation in the Russia-controlled city is very difficult, and this problem “requires solution both at the governmental and at the local level”.
The Mayor also added that around three-four weeks ago, when the city still had access to mobile communication networks, the population of Melitopol reduced to around 70 thousand people. The residents were massively leaving the city. However, now the evacuation is possible only using private cars, while the Russian troops “charge” the refugees with the “road tolls” varying from UAH 300 to UAH 3000 at every road block.
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