Yesterday, on 9 December, Russian troops launched a large-scale attack on the positions of the Ukrainian Defence Forces in the Liman sector, using 101 drones and six artillery strikes. This was reported by the Luhansk Regional Military Administration on its official Facebook page.

The head of the Joint Forces Operation Artem Lysohor noted that Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled all enemy assault attempts in the areas of Hrekivka, Nadiya and Makiivka.

“The invaders are not reducing their ground pressure in the Liman sector. Our army continues to hold its positions and is giving the enemy a worthy rebuff,” emphasised Lysohor.

Financial crisis in the occupied Luhansk region

The report of the Luhansk DMA also drew attention to the catastrophic economic situation in the so-called “LPR”. As noted, almost two-thirds of the budget of this pseudo-state formation in 2025 will be subsidies from the budget of the Russian Federation. In particular, out of the planned 144.8 billion rubles of revenues, 92.6 billion will come in the form of intergovernmental transfers from the Russian Federation.

The largest share of own revenues in the LPR’s budget is generated by personal income tax – 83.4%. Investments from private companies, despite propaganda, have not yet played a significant role.

Russia’s control over the housing and utilities sector

In addition, the Russian authorities have decided to ban the management of apartment buildings by private organisations in the temporarily occupied territories until 2028.

“During this period, housing and communal services in the occupied Luhansk region will be handled exclusively by Russian state organisations,” the JMA emphasises.

This decision once again confirms Russia’s intentions to fully usurp economic management in the occupied territories and continue to exploit local resources.