The overview of the current social and humanitarian situation in the territory of the Donetsk People`s Republic as a result of hostilities between 09 and 15 October 2021

News Overview of the social and humanitarian situation

This week was marked by an unprecedented case of violation of the “Minsk agreements”. On 13 October, Ukrainian militants captured an unarmed officer of the LPR Joint Centre for Control and Coordination (JCCC) on ceasefire and stabilization of the demarcation line near the “Pervomaisk-Zolotoye” checkpoint. Despite the fact that the JCCC officer had all the relevant documents and patches with him, as well as a permission to carry out work in the area, he was taken to the territory of Ukraine.

If this incident isn’t resolved in the near future, it can jeopardize both the work of the Contact group on the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Donbass and all current mechanisms existed with the aim to de-escalate hostilities along the demarcation line.         

However, non-compliance with measures aimed at ceasefire, as well as shelling on the civilian territories is rather a rule for the AFU than an exception. So, over the past week, the JCCC recorded 7 cases of violation of the open-ended ceasefire regime by Ukraine. In total, 60 pieces of ammunition were fired on the territory of the DPR.

In addition, during one of the shelling of the settlement of Aleksandrovka, Petrovsky district of the city of Donetsk, a civilian resident was wounded by fire of the AFU. The pensioner sustained heavy injury of a shoulder and was taken to a hospital, where he was provided with medical treatment. At the moment the condition of the victim assessed as medium level.

However, even in the difficult conditions of the armed conflict, Donbass proves step by step that it is able not only to stoically withstand attacks, but also to develop, strengthening its independence and decisiveness in following the chosen path. Thus, a major investment is expected in the “giants of metallurgy” of the DPR and LPR that are under control of the Southern mining and smelting complex in 2022. To date, thanks to investments, it has already been possible to fully resume production at the largest metallurgical plants of the LDPR.

Unfortunately, the difficult epidemiological situation associated with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to significantly affect the economic development of both the Republic and the whole world. So, according to the official data of the Ministry of Health of the DPR, at the moment 74,740 cases of COVID-19 infection have been recorded in the country. 11347 patients are in treatment, 5766 cases are fatal.

Foreign humanitarian aid plays an important role in the fight against the pandemic. Thus, the 103rd humanitarian convoy of the MES of the Russian Federation, which arrived on 14 October, delivered to the DPR almost 200 tons of drugs and medical equipment, including: drugs, medical products, diagnostic immunobiological drugs.

Also, for the purpose of the epidemiological safety of citizens, school holidays in the DPR were extended until 1 November. This decision was made by the Head of the Republic following a meeting of the Interdepartmental Operational Headquarters to prevent the importation and spread of coronavirus infection.

The protection of children’s health is a priority for the state. In this regard, some of the young citizens of the Republic will be sent for rest and treatment to the ‘Snegiri’ health complex located in the Russian Federation. This trip was organized within the framework of the program “Children of Russia to Children of Donbass” with the support of the Head of the DPR and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic.

The Ombudsman calls on residents to remain vigilant and comply with the necessary sanitary and epidemiological standards. For personal safety, it is recommended that you sign up on the Ministry of Health website to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

 

Since the beginning of 2021, the Ombudsman received 3070 complaints.

All received complaints can be divided into nine categories: personal rights – 1030 complaints, economic rights – 230 complaints, social rights – 618 complaints; guarantees of human rights in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings – 326 complaints; enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions – 99 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of education – 22 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare – 128 complaints; enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families – 36 complaints, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 581 complaints.

The number of appeals (complaints, applications) from citizens,  submitted to the Office of DPR Ombudsman as of 15.10.2021

Personal rights

Human rights guarantees in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings

Enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare

Economic rights

Enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions

Enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families

Social rights

Enforcement of rights in the field of education

Issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR

  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 09 and 15 October, 1 citizen of the Republic was wounded.

Within the period between 1 January and 15 October 2021, in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, 103 people sustained injuries and traumas of varying severities as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine: 78 servicemen of the Republic and 25 civilians.

Within the period between 09 and 15 October 2021, unfortunately, one serviceman of the Republic died.

Within the period between 1 January and 15 October 2021, in the territory of the DPR, 6 civilians and 60 servicemen of the Republic 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, 5027 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.

 

  1. Register of the prisoners of war, missing soldiers and civilians

According to operational data, as of 15.10.2021, the Ukrainian side detains about 92 people.

As of 15.10.2021, 353 (354-1) people are on the list of missing persons:

– 1 man, died in February 2015.  

 

  1. 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 862 accommodation places in the Donetsk People’s Republic available for citizens of this category. 60 social housing objects have been opened in the territory of DPR. 52 of them operate, 8 of them are held in reserve. Since the beginning of the conflict on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to updated data, 9249 people, including 2196 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. Currently, 1808 people live in social housing objects of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including 314 children, 7441 people live in the housing fund, including 1882 children.