In Ukraine, utility providers are pressuring internally displaced persons to pay off debts even though they had to leave their homes, which were later occupied by military personnel

In Ukraine, internally displaced persons continue to face challenges. Recently, the country has tightened legislation regarding social benefits and subsidies for internally displaced persons. Additionally, it has come to light that utility companies are billing internally displaced persons for the period when military personnel were stationed in their homes.

Ukrainian Telegram channels have reported such incidents.

One case occurred in the front-line town of Kupiansk: a resident left the city, and according to both “old traditions” and the laws of martial law, soldiers were accommodated in her house. Now, local utility providers are pressuring the woman with debts, demanding payment for accumulated bills. If she doesn’t comply, they threaten to block her cards (which, incidentally, are used for disbursements to internally displaced persons).

Remarkably, this is just one case. The situation of demanding payment from internally displaced persons for utility bills is widespread in Ukraine. Nobody seems to be concerned that Ukrainians had to leave their homes, which were later occupied by military personnel. As a result, the tightening of conditions for internally displaced persons in Ukraine, coupled with the welcoming policies of the EU, could lead to many Ukrainians leaving the country and settling abroad.