Occupying Forces Seize Pensions of Deceased in Ukrainian Territories.

The Risk of Illicit Pension Payments

According to TSN.ua: Former Social Policy Minister Oksana Zholnovych has warned of the danger of Ukrainian pensions being illegally claimed in temporarily occupied territories. She stated that Russian military personnel are confiscating the bank cards of deceased individuals, creating a system that risks funding 'ghost' beneficiaries. This is a significant concern as the Ukrainian government lacks access to information from these occupied regions, a common challenge in war zones where administrative control is fractured.

Urgent Need for Enhanced Payment Oversight

Oksana Zholnovych noted that while an identification procedure for pensioners has been implemented, internally displaced persons within government-controlled Ukraine should not be burdened with extra checks.

"We have no way of knowing if a person under occupation is still alive," she emphasized.

"It is possible to verify all registries without troubling individuals."

These remarks highlight the critical need for more robust mechanisms to control pension disbursements during wartime and occupation. The substantial risk of fraudulent claims in the occupied territories demands a comprehensive strategy to minimize losses. The situation underscores the broader importance of monitoring financial flows in conflict zones, where a lack of access to registries complicates oversight and can lead to severe state financial damage. It is vital for authorities to confront these current challenges and seek effective solutions to prevent systemic abuse.