Fridge TV wins. While – in the east of Ukraine

From 8 April stopped all movement of people between the two parts of the Luhansk region – one that is under the control of the Ukrainian government, and that, where there are authorities with LC. The only force until this checkpoint Ukrainian authorities shut down: according to them, the separatists fire at the surrounding area. Another checkpoint, which is equipped with the Ukrainian authorities, was opened on March 31, but, in fact, and not earned, – the road was immediately blocked by the separatists.

People in these areas people connect mass communications. Many relatives live, work or study for the delimitation line. Someone has to drive to another area to get a pension, to issue the documents, buy food or drugs. Broken legal “corridors” – especially attacks on civilians.

In late March – early April 2016 employees of the “Memorial” Human Rights Center and the Kharkiv Human Rights Group have visited that part of the Luhansk region, which is under the control of the Government of Ukraine, says  Oleg Orlov , a member of the “Memorial” Human Rights Center Council.

Among other things, we visited the village Lugansk and actually merged with it Kondrashevku. It is located nine kilometers to the north-east of Lugansk, the capital of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic.

During the war, which began in the spring of 2014, the village experienced a lot. The worst thing – hitting Ukrainian aviation July 2, 2014. Then the village were under the control of LC forces. Airstrikes fell on residential areas. Killed civilians, including a young child. Many homes were completely destroyed or severely damaged. I went there the next day after the attacks, I saw the results with my own eyes.

August 18, 2014 Lugano and Kondrashevka were repulsed by Ukrainian forces. First there came the infamous volunteer battalion “Aidar”. The next day the Ukrainian offensive bogged down, and on August 20 began a counteroffensive separatists. It was a success, both because of the participation of units of the regular Russian army, and because a significant amount of the transfer of arms to the separatists. Ukrainian forces retreated, leaving many busy cities and villages, but on the left bank of the river Seversky Donets narrow foothold, and have not moved. They say that because of the same “Aydar”, – he refused to comply with the order of command to retreat to the north. Since then, the line of delimitation between the Ukrainian and separatist territories held by the Seversky Donets. This river flows on the outskirts of the village of Lugano,

It is people, not machines: in contrast to the two similar “corridors” in the Donetsk region, it operates only in the foot mode. During the fighting, the bridge was partially undermined. Now through the destroyed span crossed by wooden walkways. Go is not easy, especially for older people, and even with baggage.

Oleg Orlov: This is a shot I did not – we were Ukrainian border guards to the bridge is not missed

People approached the checkpoint on a bus, bus, passenger car, passed through the Ukrainian checkpoint. Then – the bridge to the right bank of the river, which is controlled by separatists. On the other side, other means of transport, getting to Lugansk. Similarly, in the reverse direction.

Can only pass with a special pass issued by the Ukrainian authorities. Document entitling to cross the demarcation line within a year, the last time to get much easier: Now pass can be issued over the Internet. But still it will take at least a week: it is necessary to fill out a form to specify the reasons for which it is necessary to go back and forth. This procedure was introduced by the Ukrainian authorities in 2015. Separatists so far no permits for crossing the “border” is not injected.

Standing in line at the checkpoint had a long time – 4-5 hours. They say if you’re lucky, and in three hours you can handle.

About PPC installed two large army tents with stoves: you can warm up, out of the rain, get a free cup of tea and biscuits. Nearby are the toilets.

Enterprising people have established business – selling close to a variety of edibles queue (pie -. 8 g), carry an exorbitant price to the people a taxi to the checkpoint and back.

Controlled passage through the demarcation line of border guards and customs officers as the state border.

People, the majority – the retirement age, stood patiently in line. Someone went to the mother, who, on the contrary, was returning from the guests. Someone carrying products from Ukrainian territory to separatist. Someone traveling as a “tourist pension” – so called those who had to travel regularly from the LC-DNI to the territory controlled by the Government of Ukraine to obtain a pension. Since November 2014 the Ukrainian authorities have stopped on “separatist” territory payment of all social security benefits and pensions. The government said that does not deprive pensioners entitlements them money continues to charge on their accounts. But to take advantage of these tools, retired only a need to move beyond the “separatist” territory, register the new place of residence, document the fact of their residence there, – and then they will be able to completely free to use their pension funds. For the majority of older people living in the territories of the LC and the NPT to do so it was not able to do. Few dare to give up everything to go to an unknown destination, find a place in the refugee camps or spend retirement rental housing. They visited mostly by those who were willing to shelter families. However, soon earned a variety of vengeance “bypass” scheme. On the territory of Donbass controlled by the Government of Ukraine, there were intermediaries ready for a certain amount to provide a fictitious registration and documents to prove that the pensioner allegedly moved here with “separatist” territory. Seniors, their families or persons authorized by them, went through the “front line”, to withdraw from the card and the pension money back.

Ukrainian government recently re-issued an order to suspend pension payments – as long as the pensioner again personally confirmed his presence on the territory controlled by the Ukrainian authorities. Again, older people personally went on the road.

In the second half of 2015 the authorities of self-proclaimed LNR-DNR also began to pay pensions, social benefits, public sector wages. Pay rubles. Everyone understands these funds come from one’s budget. However, local authorities are puffed and asserting that its budget from taxes collected by them. But who would believe them?

Naturally, everyone who can, try to receive pensions from both parties to the conflict.

I approached the people standing in line, I tried to talk with them. I thought, do not want to talk, or will criticize the Ukrainian government, forcing them to go for pensions and stand for hours in front of the checkpoint. To my surprise, they mainly blamed the authorities LC. Someone – openly and loudly, someone – stepping aside quietly, saying that we are now also have to go back there. LC abused, not knowing that I am from Russia. When I talked about it, they began to scold and in addition my country, “they say, if it decided to pay the Russian government in the LC pensions, why not pay at least as much as the Ukrainian authorities ?!”

All the complaints were of a material nature: miserable pensions, the high prices of products.

Food on the territory controlled by the separatists, considerably more expensive. With an average buying rate of the ruble against the hryvnia at the moment in Ukraine – 0.36 – 0.37, shows the difference:

Pension in Ukraine at the people surveyed were from 1100 to 1200 g.

In LC, the minimum pension – 1800 rubles (!). Those with whom we have spoken, are a little more than 2 thousand. Rubles. In this case, there retirees (unlike Ukraine) pay for public transportation 5 rubles, free travel -. Only 1-2 for disabled groups and war veterans. 10 rubles. pay pensioners receiving 3 thousand. rub. pension, but there is almost there.

People carried and transported to the LC from the territory controlled by the Ukrainian authorities, bags, backpacks, trolley full of provisions. Restrictions: one person can carry no more than 50 kg of food in the amount of not more than 5000 grams. But the wooden footbridge across the Seversky Donets and such a load for the majority can not be transferred. And from under these pensions and salaries corresponding to score as many hryvnia?

The main claim to the Ukrainian authorities – slow checkpoint.

Facilitate the provision could open new checkpoints. Such an attempt to make the authorities of Ukraine March 31, 2016 near the village of Gold (Gold).

At this checkpoint, the well-equipped for vehicles and pedestrian passage, we went to the opening day.

On the same day at 15 o’clock crossing has been closed: the power of LC turned the people back. Separatists said: “How so? The Ukrainian authorities have decided on the opening of the checkpoint? A contact is someone coordinated? “. Armed men arrived and blocked the KAMAZ road leading from the Ukrainian side.

LC official position of the authorities – allegedly the corridor for some reason is not safe for people walking and riding on it (remember – as the Ukrainian authorities explained checkpoint closing at the village of Lugano).

Why? “So! We had to be discussed with them, “But according to the Ukrainian side’s opinion, no one to talk:” to conduct negotiations not terrorists. “

Rested on two sides. Injured civilians Luhansk region – on both sides of the demarcation line. Today, in any official corridor is not working for crossing the line.

Sourse, 16/04/2016