In the temporarily occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia region, people continue to be abducted by the occupiers, and the number of those abducted has now reached thousands.
The Mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, made this statement.
He said, "The most significant crime is the ongoing abduction of our people. Every day, we receive reports from our civilians that the enemy is abducting our people. We are now talking about thousands of people who have been abducted from the temporarily occupied Zaporizhia region."
He noted that the humanitarian situation and the security situation in Melitopol and the entire occupied part of the Zaporizhia region are deteriorating. People in the occupied areas are facing additional problems in obtaining food.
"The humanitarian situation continues to worsen. Today, we see a trend where, in addition to the problems related to medical and social assistance that existed previously, residents who are forced to stay in the temporarily occupied territory, such as those who used to work for communal enterprises or hospitals, are having their salaries withheld by the enemy. This has led to our residents even having difficulties in buying food. On the other hand, the prices of food have significantly increased," emphasized Fedorov.
According to his information, food prices have increased by a minimum of 30-40%. Fuel prices at gas stations have also risen, with diesel fuel now costing over 70 rubles.
Fedorov noted that Russia continues to exert pressure on the residents by increasing the duration of the curfew, which now starts at 19:00 in the temporarily occupied territories. Additionally, forced passportization is ongoing, and the occupiers are applying various forms of pressure to the people, restricting their rights.
According to the Mayor of Melitopol, Russians continue to abduct and export all property, including agricultural products and grains, from the temporarily seized territories.
"Today, only one Russian state-owned company has the right to buy grain from farmers (in the temporarily occupied territory)," Fedorov added. "And it is this company that offers a price below the cost of the grain grown."
He reported that as a result of the "elections" in the new occupational "councils," 50% of the members are locally elected collaborators, while the other 50% are individuals brought to the temporarily occupied territories from various regions of the Russian Federation.
"Most of them were brought to Melitopol from Altai and Siberia. We also noticed a trend where candidates were brought from the Rostov region, who became 'deputies.' But it's good that all these people are publicly known today, and they will be held accountable for their betrayal," Fedorov emphasized.
He noted that the resistance movement is active and supports the morale of the local population.
Fedorov also shared that occupiers have taken over his own house and the house where his parents live. "The enemy has occupied my parents' home. It's also my home where I grew up. This happened about 7-8 months ago. Some individuals, in groups of 3 to 5, moved in. As for my house, they moved in as well, but it took them three attempts. Several times, some 'tourists' came, found out whose house it was and declined to move in. However, the last time, they moved in. As of today, it seems they are living there. This is the latest information that I have," Fedorov said.
