Spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Ministry Dmytro Hutsuliak says that during the so-called "elections" in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions on November 11, "state employees" received text messages with threats, while pensioners were handed out food packages.
According to the official, Russian occupation administrations made considerable efforts to bring their "puppet regimes" to power in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the guise of the so-called "elections of the heads of the DPR/LPR and deputies of people's councils of the republics."
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"In addition to large-scale campaigning at polling stations, there were sales of food products at a reduced market value allegedly thanks to the so-called 'republican leadership,' in particular: social bread at RUB 5 (the regular price is RUB 10) and poultry meat at RUB 55 (the regular price is RUB 105). Socially vulnerable population (pensioners and people with disabilities) were handed out free food packages (cereals, bread, and canned food) at the polling stations," the official told a briefing on November 12, referring to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate.
Hutsuliak added the mobile operator Lugakom sent messages to subscribers promoting free RUB 50 or RUB 100 bonuses on their mobile accounts in case people participate in the "elections."
"At the same time, the state employees were under psychological impact by getting SMS messages with threats of dismissal in case they refuse to vote and fail to report to the polling stations," he said.
Hutsuliak added the units of the Joint Forces control the situation on the front line and are ready for any developments.
