All mass media, public authorities and business in occupied Donetsk and Luhansk cities are controlled by the so-called Ministry of State Security, and respectively by the Russian FSB. Militants order the reporters what to write. The former head of one of Horlivka's propaganda channels informed the SBU about the content of the separate districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which includes the non-existent success of the "republics", as well as concealment of corruption and social problems.

After escaping from the occupied territory, the man came to the Security Service of Ukraine and confirmed that each channel, radio and publishing house had their own curator in the temporarily uncontrolled territories of Donetsk region. Until recently, these processes were led by Alexander Kazakov, Zakharchenko's former adviser, who actually controlled all the terrorist power structures. Every month, all media leaders and staff of the so-called Ministry of Information gathered at a meeting in Russia. Furthermore, the reporters are warned against prohibiting writing about the current situation in the "republics" such as mine closures, strikes and lack of money, as well as rampant corruption and lawlessness in the separate districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In addition, media employees are sent to the Don State Technical University in Rostov, where they undergo advanced training courses on conducting information warfare within the country. In particular, all mass media are required to constantly report on the allegedly horrific situation in Ukraine. All materials should be approved by the Russian curators at the Ministry of Information of DNR.

Militants keep under control all those who disagree, as well as people who can damage their reputation. The officials and citizens flee the separate districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions on a massive scale due to constant pressure. Moreover, some of them turn to the Security Service of Ukraine for help. Currently, all the evidences collected by the Ukrainian special service was filed in the huge evidence base about the invasive war against Ukraine and the crimes in the L/DNR.