Tragedy in Donetsk Region: Occupiers Again Lose Lives Due to Shelling on Victory Day
On the eve of and on May 9th, when Ukraine honors its heroes and celebrates victory over fascism in World War II, Russian forces carried out cynical attacks on peaceful territories of Donetsk region, causing significant damage and claiming the lives of two more local residents. This information was confirmed by official sources — the Donetsk military administration. According to data published by regional authorities, two lives were lost on the Victory Day in the region — in the cities of Sieviersk and Rivne. Civic activists and local officials are calling on residents to exercise particular caution, as the occupiers continue targeted shelling of communities and civilian infrastructure. All these actions serve as evidence of a cynical strategic tactic aimed at intimidating and destabilizing the situation in the region. In addition to the loss of life, during the recent shelling, extensive damage was inflicted on civil infrastructure. Particularly, in Rai-Oleksandrivka, part of the Mykolaiv community, seven residential buildings were damaged — residents lost or had their homes damaged as a result of shelling and missile strikes. This underscores the ongoing danger for local residents and the humanitarian crisis that is worsening daily. Furthermore, in the city of Mykolaiv, which belongs to the Druzkovka community, and in Kostiantynivka, the Russians targeted residential buildings and infrastructure: one multi-story building was damaged, and dozens of private homes and a vital gas pipeline supplying resources to residences were destroyed. One person was injured in the shelling and requires medical assistance. Damage to the gas infrastructure poses an additional safety threat to residents, including the risk of emergencies and disruptions to the region’s vital functions. Overall, at least 10 shellings were recorded in Donetsk region over the past day — the occupiers deliberately targeted civilian objects, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and breaking the peaceful life of local residents. Once again, the global community is calling for increased international pressure on the aggressor country to stop these brutal acts and ensure the safety of Ukrainians. Local authorities urge residents to stay in shelters during alarms and strictly follow safety rules. The local community and volunteers are actively working on restoring damaged infrastructure and providing humanitarian aid to those affected. However, without an end to the aggression and war, the region’s recovery remains a challenge. This tragedy reminds us once more of the true cost of the war that Ukraine has been resisting for over a year, and of the need for the international community to join efforts in supporting Ukrainians who are fighting for their future and the right to live in a safe and independent country.