Occupiers in Donbas Blocking Movement of People across Five Checkpoints on Contact Line

In the areas of Donbas uncontrolled by the Government of Ukraine, the Russian occupation authorities continue to block the operation of five road corridors through “Shchastia,” “Zolote.” “Hnutove,” “Mayorske” and “Marinka” entry-exit checkpoints.

“Due to the arbitrariness of the occupiers, people are allowed to move only across ‘Stanytsia Luhanska’ and ‘Novotroitske’ checkpoints. Despite this, border guards are on duty at all entry-exit checkpoints,” the press service of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine informs, adding that the reasons for restrictions on movement of people and transport are unknown.

The other day, the press service of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas reported that the occupation authorities in Donbas introduced a new permit procedure for persons to leave for the territory controlled by the Government of Ukraine.

Reportedly, the militants will allow crossing a contact line upon the availability of a special pass issued by “bodies of internal affairs of DPR.. The document is planned to be issued to persons, who have reached the age of 18 years, free of charge for a period of six months. Mandatory conditions for the issuance of a pass are undergoing fingerprint registration, including a photo and verifying personal means of communication of applicants.

Meanwhile, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation reports that the ceasefire regime is not observed on the contact line in Donbas. In recent days, pro-Russian militants used 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns and small arms prohibited by the Minsk agreements to open fire on Ukrainian military positions. At the same time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine were forced to open fire in response.

Bohdan Marusyak