Screenshot VKontakte
Tensions over proposed pension reform in Russia are rising. Today there was an explosion in western Russia at the national Pension Fund office, which blew off the entrance to the facility.
Video: Thousands Protest For Second Day In Moscow Against Pension Reform
Authorities in the city of Kaluga launched a criminal investigation into hooliganism on Friday after the entrance to the Pension Fund’s office was blown off, according to local media. No casualties were reported in the early morning explosion.
Video shared by the Nika regional broadcaster showed the damaged office door, wall and debris on the ground. The news and footage of the explosion was later removed from Nika’s website and social network page. The office of the Kaluga Pension Fund said it was working as usual despite the incident, reported The Moscow Times.
Government officials want to raise the retirement age to levels seen in other developed economies, from 55 to 63 for women, 65 for men.
The development is a big change away from the Soviet socialist past and a jump into the modern world of reality. The Kremlin rightfully states the changes are overdue; the pension system will be insolvent without the proposed measures being enacted.
Video: Putin Has Touched The Third Rail Of Russian Politics – Pension Reform
The State Duma is scheduled to hold expanded parliamentary hearings on the controversial retirement age hike during summer recess on Aug. 21, speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Friday, wrote The Moscow Times
