You're reading: Donetsk People’s Republic to pay pensions in rubles

DONETSK - The authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic will begin paying pensions in rubles on April 4, the Donetsk News Agency reported on March 31, citing Galina Sagaidakova, chairman of the Donetsk People's Republic Pension Fund.

“Pensions will be paid according to the current legislation on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic in amounts determined by the Ukrainian legislation. The first pensions will be paid on April 4,” she told reporters.

Only citizens who live in the Donetsk People’s Republic and are registered with the Donetsk People’s Republic Pension Fund are entitled to receive pensions,” Sagaidakova said.

“The only new thing will be that the payments will be made in Russian rubles at the rate of two rubles per one hryvnia,” she said.

Oleksandr Zakharchenko, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, said last week that the Donetsk People’s Republic authorities had made a decision to pay pensions, social benefits and wages in different currencies due to the economic blockade. He also said the Donetsk People’s Republic administration intends to quickly introduce the Russian ruble in the republic.