Russia pushing the ruble as payment currency in occupied areas of Kharkiv Region, Ukrainian intelligence says

The Russian ruble is being introduced as payment currency in Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine’s Kharkiv Region, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defence Ministry said.

The local population is encouraged to visit Russia to buy food and medicine, the intelligence agency noted, adding that Russian mobile operator MegaFon is currently setting up its own network in the region.

Ukrainian officials added that on April 21-23, Russian soldiers were seizing electric generators from local residents to use them for their own purposes. Meanwhile, Russian soldiers and FSB officers tell the local population that it was Ukraine that cut off the electricity in the region, the Ukrainian intelligence stated.

On March 24, the Russian Defence Ministry announced that it had taken control over the city of Izium in the Kharkiv Region. The next day, the ministry stated that Kharkiv had been fully blocked by Russian forces.