Authorities in the Belgorod region of southwestern Russia will halt housing compensation for some residents who have been displaced, starting in August. They cite improvements in security in several border areas and aim to motivate residents to return to their homes.

A state of emergency was declared across the Belgorod region last August due to an increase in attacks from Ukraine, which coincided with an unexpected military incursion into the nearby Kursk region.

Earlier this month, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov imposed restrictions on access to 14 border villages, noting that over 200 civilians had lost their lives since the onset of the conflict.

However, on Thursday, Gladkov announced that residents from areas where Ukrainian assaults have “dropped to zero” will be informed that they are no longer eligible for housing assistance.

Since the beginning of 2023, over 100,000 individuals have received a total of 1.3 billion rubles (approximately $16.5 million) in housing support, according to government sources.

Gladkov indicated that the specifics of the areas classified as safe would remain confidential to avoid “destabilization,” claiming that this information could be misused by Ukraine. He also mentioned that those returning to intact homes would start receiving utility bills once more.

“The suspension of rental payments and the [restart] of utility fees will not be applicable to homes that have been destroyed or damaged,” Gladkov noted.

Nonetheless, this move has sparked significant backlash online, with many accusing officials of lacking transparency and disregard for civilian safety.

“Don’t you think you’ve meddled too much with people’s lives?” one user commented on the social network VKontakte.

“Who gave you the authority to decide for us where it’s safer to live?” another user asked. “We’re not responsible for this situation, yet you continue to complicate matters. Shame on leaders like you!”