Donetsk, Nov 6 — DAN. Russian retirement benefits have been granted to or recalculated for almost 48 percent of all eligible pensioners in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Social Fund Department for the DPR told the Donetsk News Agency.

“As of November 1, 2023, the Republic had some 720,000 registered pensioners, ” the Fund’s press service reported. “Pensions under Russian laws are paid to 345,000 people, and pensions under DPR laws to some 367,000 people.”

The figures include the recipients in the liberated areas: for example 27,000 Mariupol pensioners, it said.

On November 1, 2023, Russia’s Social Fund took over the powers of the DPR Pension Fund to pay the pensions granted before the Republic’s reunification with Russia. The recalculation of these payments in accordance with Russian norms in the new regions was launched on March 1, 2023. A part of the pensioners not yet eligible for pension recalculation or those who have not obtained Russian citizenship continue to receive pensions under DPR laws.*jk