The overview of the current social and humanitarian situation in the territory of the Donetsk People`s Republic as a result of hostilities between 08 and 14 May 2021

On May 9, a military parade was held on the main square of the DPR, dedicated to the 76th anniversary of the Victory Day of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War. On the main street of the capital, ceremonial crews of units of the People’s Militia of the DPR, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs passed. Following the ceremonial crews, military equipment passed along Artyoma Street, the column was traditionally opened by the legendary T-34. In total, 76 units of equipment were presented during the Parade. After the Victory Parade, the “Immortal Regiment” procession began, led by the Head of the DPR Denis Pushilin. Actions of the “Immortal Regiment” were also held in all cities of the Republic.

In turn, the Ukrainian authorities, whose people shed blood during the Great Patriotic War, also celebrated May 9, albeit in their own way… 17 criminal cases were initiated against ordinary Ukrainian citizens who decided to honour the heroic memory of their ancestors. However, even in spite of the bans and criminal prosecution, on the Day of Victory over Nazism in World War II, 729 events were held throughout Ukraine, in which over 62 thousand people took part. This is a vivid demonstration of the fact that the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian government are not identical concepts.

Another important event in the DPR was the celebration of May 11, the seventh anniversary of the founding of the Donetsk People’s Republic. In honour of the holiday, a procession of thousands of residents of cities and districts, as well as representatives of public organizations took place in Donetsk. Also, the event was attended by delegations from friendly states. Thus, the celebration was attended by the President of the Republic of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov, the Head of the LPR Leonid Pasechnik, the First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the RF, Secretary of the General Council of the party “Yedinaya Rossiya” Andrei Turchak, deputies of the RF State Duma, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia Sergei Pustovalov and others. The day ended with a large-scale concert of the famous Russian band “Lyube” and grand festive fireworks.

However, the performance of famous performers was not the only gift for the residents of the Republic. Thus, the secretary of the General Council of the party “Yedinaya Rossiya” Andrei Turchak announced that about half a million residents of the LDPR will be able to vote in the elections to the State Duma in 2021. During his speech, a senior Russian parliamentarian said:

“There should not be such a situation when a citizen of the Russian Federation, regardless of the territory, place where he/she lives, would be amazed in political rights. These 500 thousand people who have taken Russian citizenship, they will take part in the elections to the State Duma.”

Unfortunately, this day was darkened by a monstrous tragedy in Kazan. As a result of the shooting at gymnasium No. 175 in the capital of Tatarstan, 9 people were killed. 18 children were also injured, and eight of them received bullet wounds. Residents of the Republic honoured the memory of those killed at the “Russia” stela in Donetsk.

Donbass knows what horrors and losses terrorism brings, because the citizens of the DPR face them almost daily. The past days were no exception. Thus, the JCCC observers during the reporting week recorded 8 cases of violation of the regime of an open-ended ceasefire by the AFU. In total, 50 pieces of ammunition were fired on the territory of the DPR. Under shelling were such settlements as: Donetsk (mining settlement of Trudovskaya), Grigorovka, Novaya Maryevka, Vasilyevka, Veseloe, Dzerzhinskoe.

The Ombudsman calls on citizens to be vigilant in connection with the aggravation of the situation on the Contact line, as well as with the recent terrorist attack in Kazan. The Ombudsman strongly recommends not to touch suspicious objects and immediately contact the Ministry of Emergency Situations if they are found.

Since the beginning of 2021, the Ombudsman received 1277 complaints.

All received complaints can be divided into nine categories: personal rights – 425 complaints, economic rights – 99 complaints, social rights – 261 complaints; guarantees of human rights in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings – 134 complaints; enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions – 55 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of education – 10 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare – 50 complaints; enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families – 9 complaints, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 234 complaints.

The number of appeals (complaints, applications) from citizens,  submitted to the Office of DPR Ombudsman as of 14.05.2021

1. Death toll, injuries to civilians and soldiers as a result of hostilities in the territory of the Donetsk People`s Republic

The DPR Ombudsman’s Office documents cases of violations of Donbas citizens’ rights by the Ukrainian side, including the right to life, personal integrity and freedom of movement.

Within the period between 01 and 14 May 2021, according to the official sources, 9 servicemen of the Republic sustained injuries.

Within the period between 1 January and 14 May 2021, in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, 29 people sustained injuries and traumas of varying severities as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine: 23 servicemen of the Republic and 6 civilians.

Within the period between 01 and 14 May 2021, in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, 7 servicemen of the Republic died. Also, a civilian born in 1939 died as a result of the shelling by the AFU of the mining settlement of “Trudovskaya”, at address: Donetsk, Tomskaya str. 10.

Within the period between 1 January and 14 May 2021, in the territory of the DPR, 29 servicemen of the Republic and 4 civilians died as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.

It should be noted that since the armed conflict began in the Donetsk People’s Republic, 4,994 people, including 91 children died.

Officially confirmed information on individuals who have been wounded since the beginning of the conflict continues to be reported to the DPR Ombudsman’s Office.

2. Register of the prisoners of war, missing soldiersand civilians

As of May 14, 2021, the Ukrainian side detains about 90 people. 

As of May 14, 2021, 366 people are on the list of missing persons.

3. Register of displaced persons and affected citizens

At the time of armed conflict, the civilian population living in the zone of fighting and near the contact line is often affected. With the view to protect the human right to life and security of the person, and to provide assistance to victims as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine, social housing objects (dormitories, preventative clinics, health care centres).

With the coming into force of the Order of the Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic No. 137 of 24.04.2018, territorial commissions in cities and districts are now responsible for accommodating affected civilians. They work under the supervision of the Republican Commission on Resettlement of Affected Persons chaired by the DPR Human Rights Ombudsman.

There are currently 852 accommodation places in the Donetsk People’s Republic available for citizens of this category. 61 social housing objects have been opened in the territory of DPR. 53 of them operate, 8 of them are held in reserve. Since the beginning of the conflict, 9348 people, including 2153 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. Currently, 1887 people live in social housing objects of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including 318 underage children, 7461 people live in the housing fund, including 1835 children.