Donetsk, Mar 22 – DAN. Kiev authorities owe Donbass pensioners over 30 bln hryvnia in payments, Alexander Zakharchenko said speaking live on TV.
"We have exact numbers but they differ from Kiev's as we do not prohibit our pensioners to receive payments in Ukraine, and also pay the allowances here in DPR. That is why today Ukrainian debt in pensions is over 30 bln hryvnia, or $1.1 bln."
Donbass economic blockade started as early as on 15 November 2014 as Ukrainian president Petr Poroshenko signed a decree halting all social payments in the conflict zone, including pensions. Banks were banned from working with personal and business accounts in Donbass. DPR and LPR authorities called the decision a devastating genocide act against people. *ot