About LPR
The presidency held talks with Leonid Pasechnik focused on socio economic concerns in the Lugansk People’s Republic. Officials described a fragile coal sector where profitability has declined and workforce levels have fallen, leaving many mines short of staff. The leaders acknowledged that the region faces serious economic strain and a difficult situation for residents and workers.
“The situation in the Lugansk People’s Republic is very difficult and the principal concern remains the safety of people,” stated the head of state.
Pasechnik proposed a path forward for coal enterprises by granting miners a temporary exemption from conscription into the People’s Militia and the Russian Armed Forces to ensure ongoing production and stability.
“To keep mining operations running, it is necessary to refrain from drafting miners into LPR Militia units or Russia’s armed forces for the moment, and to secure necessary armor and support. This approach, I believe, will balance the situation,” he said.
The second request centered on wage subsidies for miners, which the president supported.
“In terms of aid, we will provide assistance, especially wage subsidies and other measures needed to sustain businesses,” Putin stated. He added that funding decisions would be made swiftly, once the required budgetary amounts were confirmed.
The head of state noted that Moscow does not plan to impose privatization terms on coal enterprises in the LPR. He urged a review of mining assets and owners where possible, and if ownership remains unclear, to restart operations from scratch. The overarching goal is to preserve jobs within the region.
Pasechnik also requested the dispatch of experts to establish reliable communication and internet connectivity in the republic.
About DPR
As with other newly formed regional authorities, Pushilin traveled to Moscow and was recognized with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, alongside leaders from Zaporozhye and Kherson. The gesture highlighted ongoing cooperation among the new territories.
One immediate issue Pushilin raised was the water supply in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Residents currently receive water every three days for a limited duration, a situation that has raised concerns across the region.
“Water supply is a key concern for everyone. Working with relevant ministries, we have implemented several measures, including new channels from reservoirs. Yet, water availability remains constrained in large cities like Donetsk, Makeevka, and Horlivka, where water reaches homes for only two hours every three days,” the author noted.
Pushilin also reported progress on heating in Mariupol, while noting that broader restoration efforts face interruptions due to ongoing strikes by Ukrainian forces.
Additionally, Pushilin called for strengthened air defense in the Donetsk region amid increased shelling by Ukrainian forces. The region’s leadership stressed that the Russian Armed Forces are doing everything possible to shield towns and villages, but more modern defense systems would help reduce civilian casualties.
Putin acknowledged that the security situation in Donetsk is severe and requires separate discussion from LPR issues. He emphasized that the situation in Donetsk is acutely challenging due to heavy shelling of residential areas and confirmed that this would be a priority topic for dialogue.
Putin noted that Kyiv had targeted civilian areas, a claim he stated has not always received attention from foreign media or human rights groups. The discussion also touched on plans to relocate patients from the DPR to federal medical facilities if needed, with a pledge to expedite this process.
Denis Pushilin commented that local authorities are coordinating with the federal Ministry of Health and said that there are no major health sector problems. The possibility of expanding federal support for patient care was discussed as part of broader humanitarian planning.
Finally, the need to accelerate the establishment of a mobile medical facility center and to raise wage levels in frontline areas of the republic were on the agenda for further action.
At every step, officials underscored the priority of keeping residents safe, maintaining essential services, and stabilizing economic activity across the two republics under the evolving regional framework. The discussions reflected a shared aim to balance security with the practical needs of families and workers in the affected areas [Attribution: Official transcripts and briefings].