In Severodonetsk, cable operator again shut off Channel 5 and TVi

Since May 15, in Severodonetsk, Luhanska oblast, the local cable TV operator, the company “Vokar Holding”, associated with the Internet provider Lanet, ceased re-translating two Ukrainian TV channels – Channel 5 and TVi. According to the head of Luhansk oblast branch of the Committee of Voters o Ukraine Oleksiy Svetikov, instead of these two channels, the operator now broadcasts the message that they were switched off under the demand of the HQ of the Army of the Southern East. As early as on May 8, “Vokar Holding” was forced to shut off some of the Ukrainian TV channels. In particular, «1+1», Inter, «Ukraina», Channel 5, TVi, ICTV, STB, Novy Kanal, and 112. On May 12, after the so called referendum of the status of the region was held in Luhansk region, these channels were returned to the broadcast. The Lanet’ website says that the Ukrainian TV channels were shut off in connection with the threat of physical violence against its staff. 

In the city of Krasny Luch (population around 100 thousand), Luhansk region, on May 10 on the eve of the pseudo-referendum the local cable TV operator , the TV and Radio Company ‘Luch’, shut off several Ukrainian TV channels in its network. In particular, these were ICTV, TRK Ukraina, STB, and Channel 112.