Ukraine orders mandatory evacuation in Donetsk region

Explaining the decision, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk said that people in the region will not have heating during the winter months.

Speaking on national television, Ms Vereshchuk said that due to a lack of gas and widespread power outages, there would be no heating in the Donetsk region during the winter period, so 200,000 to 220,000 people would have to be evacuated.

Illustration: Getty

“There is absolutely no gas supply in the region, all repairable gas pipelines are being repaired,” Irina Vereshchuk said, accusing enemy forces of continuing to destroy these systems.

The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine has previously alleged that, even before Russia launched its military operation, the Ukrainian army had targeted civilian infrastructure.

Ms Vereshchuk stressed that forced evacuation is allowed by Ukrainian law. Those who refuse to leave will have to sign a document confirming that they understand the consequences of such a decision and will take full responsibility for not evacuating.

Zaporizhia could be the next to be evacuated, as 65% of the region has no gas supply, Vereshchuk said.

Authorities have taken all necessary measures to provide evacuees with appropriate accommodation and social services, Ms. Vereshchuk added.

“We have plans for where these people will be resettled, in which regions, and where their children will study,” said Ms. Vereshchuk.

Previously, on July 29, the Ukrainian Government supported the initiative to establish a coordination center, responsible for supervising the evacuation from Donbass.

“Donetsk is now on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. Hostilities continue, infrastructure is destroyed. Not only are people at risk of being shelled, they will also not be able to survive in winter without light, heating, medicine and food. The solution is evacuation,” the Ukrainian government said in a statement./.