The armed conflict in Donbass, unleashed by Ukraine in 2014, has cost thousands of civilian lives. At the time when the defenders of the Republics, at the cost of their lives, defended their native lands from the enemy, most journalists from the countries of the so-called “civilized world” did not want to cover the events that took place in peaceful cities ruthlessly destroyed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was only thanks to a few brave war correspondents that the world was able to find out what was really going on in Donbass.
It was these heroes who were awarded the honorary title “Honoured Journalist of the Donetsk People’s Republic” on 15 December. 15 representatives of the republican and Russian media, covering the hostilities in Donbass, were personally awarded by the Head of the DPR Denis Pushilin. During the event dedicated to the Day of Commemoration in Memory of Journalists Who Died in the Performance of Professional Duties, the Head of State expressed gratitude to all those who objectively covered the events in the region all these years.
Information activity is especially important in the context of recording regular attacks on peaceful territories of the DPR by the AFU. Indeed, in the future, this may serve as an evidence base in trials against those responsible for the deaths of innocent people. The JCCC plays a significant role in this matter. Over the past week, observers recorded 3 cases of violation of the regime of an open-ended ceasefire by Ukraine. In total, 35 pieces of ammunition were fired on the territory of the DPR.
However, even in spite of the difficult military-economic situation, the Republic has once again proved that the people of Donbass are not only the victorious people, but also the people of creators. For the first time since 2014, the economic situation in the DPR has stabilized, with an increase in indicators. According to preliminary estimates, budget revenues in 2021 increased by 20% compared to the previous year. For example, the volume of products sold in the real sector of the economy increased by 14% over the year. This became possible, first of all, thanks to the restoration of industry and the correct economic policy of the state.
Another symbol of the revival of Donbass was the construction of a new ferris wheel, which is ready to work, in the park of Culture and Rest named after Shcherbakov. The diameter of the new wheel is 28.3 meters, and the height is 31.5, whereas the old version of the attraction had a diameter of 24 meters and a height of 27 metres. The attraction is capable of working in winter at a temperature of up to -15 degrees. It is equipped with nine fully glazed heated and air-conditioned cabins, one of which is suitable for people with disabilities.
The past week has not been without sporting achievements. Thus, the men’s national volleyball team of the DPR took silver at the championship in the city of Sochi. Another resident of the Republic won two gold medals on the broad jump and triple jump at the championship of the Southern Federal District among juniors and youths in track and field, which was held in Krasnodar on 11-12 December. In total, 560 athletes took part in the competition.
Also, residents of the Republic are preparing to celebrate St. Nicholas Day on 19 December. In the capital and cities, many celebrations dedicated to the holiday are being prepared. In particular, in honour of the first of the ongoing New Year holidays in the Republic, the diocesan charity event “Obiknovennoye chudo 2021” is being held, within the framework of which assistance is provided to children and elderly citizens.
The Ombudsman calls on citizens to be careful during mass events, since the epidemiological situation in the Republic remains difficult. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is still showing high rates of morbidity and mortality. According to the official data of the DPR Ministry of Health, at the moment 115,945 cases of COVID-19 infection have been recorded in the country. 3256 patients are in treatment, 8901 cases are fatal.
The Ombudsman calls on residents to remain vigilant and comply with the necessary sanitary and epidemiological standards. For personal safety, citizens are encouraged to sign up on the Ministry of Health website to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
Since the beginning of 2021, the Ombudsman received 3595 complaints.
All received complaints can be divided into nine categories: personal rights – 1175 complaints, economic rights – 267 complaints, social rights – 755 complaints; guarantees of human rights in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings – 371 complaints; enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions – 114 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of education – 29 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare – 139 complaints; enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families – 49 complaints, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 696 complaints.
The number of appeals (complaints, applications) from citizens, submitted to the Office of DPR Ombudsman as of 17.12.2021
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
- 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 30 November and 17 December, 3 servicemen of the Republic were injured.
Within the period between 1 January and 17 December 2021, in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, 127 people sustained injuries and traumas of varying severities as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine: 96 servicemen of the Republic and 31 civilians.
Within the period between 11 and 17 December 2021, 2 servicemen of the Republic died.
Within the period between 1 January and 17 December 2021, in the territory of the DPR, 7 civilians and 69 servicemen of the Republic died as a result of the armed aggression by Ukraine.
It should be noted that since the armed conflict began in the Donetsk People’s Republic, 5037 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.
- Register of the prisoners of war, missing soldiers and civilians
According to operational data, as of 17.12.2021, the Ukrainian side detains 94 people.
As of 17.12.2021, 320 people are on the list of missing persons.
- 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 861 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. 51 of them operate, 9 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, 8913 people, including 2133 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. Currently, 1689 people live in social housing objects of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including 292 children, 7224 people live in the housing fund, including 1841 children.
