One of the most important narratives of Russian propaganda, with which the occupiers tried to “bribe” Ukrainians in the east and south of Ukraine, was the thesis about allegedly large pensions and cheap utility services in the Russian Federation.

So when Russia occupied a part of the Zaporizhzhia region, a certain part of the residents sincerely rejoiced, saying “now we will live.” In fact, everything turned out to be not so rosy. The dreams of individual citizens that the occupation would bring back Soviet times and “sausage at UAH 2.20” were disappointed as a result. Well, at least partially. Because the Soviet propaganda is flourishing in the temporarily occupied territories. But the prices for food here are impressive – in the bad sense of the word.

The article is about how pensioners survive, and how much staple food and goods cost.