BELGOROD. June 23 (Interfax) - The register of enterprises affected by attacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the border areas of Russia's Belgorod region since early May now contains 89 companies, Dmitry Gladsky, deputy governor of the region, said at a briefing on Friday.
"The total amount of enterprises on which we currently have information is 89 business entities since May 5, 2023. I am not sure this list is complete. It is quite possible that we will receive information supplementing this register," the deputy governor said.
Of the enterprises that had to halt operations, 11 are large, he said.
"They halted operations for various reasons, both due to the inflicted material damage and problems related to damage inflicted to the infrastructure, for instance, power or utilities. [...] Some enterprises could start working within one or two months. I believe the majority of the enterprises would reach the normal scale of production before the end of the year," Gladsky said.
He expressed concern about the condition of the premix factory.
"The premix factory No.1, which produces about 60% of lysine in the country, has suffered the biggest damage. The remaining enterprises are small and medium-sized. [...] All enterprise are paying salaries to their employees. The premix factory is paying salaries with a 20% bonus in order to retain the working teams, especially if they have special competences and professions," he said.
According to the Ministry of Social Protection and Labor of the Belgorod region, as of June 19, 109 out of 209 large and medium-sized enterprises of the Shebekino urban district bordering on Ukraine continue operating, and they employ 3,200 people. A total of 20 enterprises employing 9,400 people have halted operations.
The border areas of the Belgorod region have been sporadically attacked from Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Civilians have been killed and wounded. A yellow (high) level of terrorist alert was declared in the region, and a state of emergency has been imposed in 15 border communities.