Translated material
Rinat Akhmetov's group announced the complete loss of control over enterprises in the DPR and LPR
The SCM group of Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov announced that since March 15 it has not controlled the operation of assets located in the separatist-controlled territories of eastern Ukraine.
The company's statement mentions 22 enterprises and companies, of which 11 operate in the energy sector (owned by DTEK ), eight in the mining and metallurgical sector ( Metinvest ). SCM also lost control over two business centers and the Dokuchaevsk flux-dolomite plant.
“We are forced to make a decision to stop our activities in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions temporarily not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities,” the statement said.
The SCM reported that they were filing a complaint with the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine about the seizure of property and considered “absolutely unacceptable the demand for the re-registration of their enterprises and the payment of taxes by the self-proclaimed “DNR” and “LNR”.”
The previously self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics announced the introduction of external management from March 1 at enterprises located in the territories under their control. They explained this by a transport blockade, which veterans of military operations in the region have been implementing since the end of January, demanding that the Ukrainian authorities cut off ties with the separatists.
On March 15, the Ukrainian authorities announced the official introduction of a transport blockade of the DPR and LPR. This was preceded by several conflicts between the security forces and participants in the blockade, as well as protests against its possible dispersal; after the announcement, there was another clash between the participants of the blockade and the police, one policeman was injured.
By evening, the Ukrainian National Guard announced the blocking of all roads and railways leading to the demarcation line.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko announced that the ban on the movement of goods could be lifted, subject to the return of control over the enterprises to Ukrainian owners and the observance of the ceasefire.
“For three years, our enterprises in the tubing, despite all the difficulties, worked exclusively within the framework of Ukrainian legislation, remaining a link between the controlled and uncontrolled territory of Ukraine,” the statement said.