‘Why should we prioritize spending on them?’: Belgorod authorities won’t repair homes of residents who left Russia until after the war ends

Authorities in Russia’s Belgorod region will not begin restoring property damaged by shelling for residents who have left the country until after the war ends, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced.

“Restoration of housing and vehicles for all residents of the Belgorod region whose property was damaged during shelling — and who have since left the Russian Federation — will be carried out only after the end of the special military operation,” Gladkov said.

According to the governor, the decision was made at the suggestion of local officials, and he supports it. At a June 16 meeting of the operational headquarters, Gladkov had proposed mothballing — rather than repairing — homes and vehicles left behind by those who fled. “If people have left the country, why should we prioritize spending on them, when there are people still here, suffering and working under extremely difficult conditions?” he said.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war in 2022, Russia’s Belgorod region has come under regular shelling and drone attacks. Sabotage groups from Ukraine have also crossed into the area. Many homes in border districts have been destroyed, and authorities have restricted access to settlements near the front line. Local social media channels have reported cases of looting in abandoned homes by Russian troops. Residents and refugees from Belgorod’s border areas have staged protests and complained of receiving little help from the authorities.