Updated Movement Restrictions Enforced in Donetsk Region
Starting November 1, 2023, residents across most of Donetsk region will only be permitted to move outside curfew hours for five hours each day. The curfew will be in effect from 4:00 PM until 11:00 AM the following day. However, in the Oleksandrivka and Cherkaska communities, the curfew hours are set between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM. This tightening of movement rules comes amid escalating security threats caused by frequent shelling in the area.
The directive was signed on October 19 by Vadym Filashkin, head of the regional military administration. On the same day, reports confirmed that Russian forces had shelled populated areas in Donetsk 27 times. Due to these attacks, 295 people, including 23 children, were evacuated from frontline zones. Numerous structures suffered damage, including:
- In Bilozerka, Pokrovsk district, 3 private residences were destroyed and 4 others damaged.
- In Sloviansk, a multi-story building, a private house, and 2 vehicles were hit.
- In Kramatorsk, shelling resulted in 1 death and 1 injury; damage affected a multi-story building, 3 private homes, a commercial facility, 2 cars, and an industrial zone.
- In Zoloti Prudy, within Oleksandrivka community, an administrative building was damaged, while in Starovarvarivka, 7 private houses were hit.
- In Druzhkivka, there was also 1 fatality and 1 injury recorded.
A Plea to the Local Population
Vadym Filashkin urged residents to take these new restrictions seriously, to plan their movements carefully, and to comply fully with instructions from military authorities and law enforcement.
“I want to stress once again: there are no safe places left in Donetsk region. I strongly encourage families, especially those with children, not to wait for another shelling and to relocate to safer parts of Ukraine,” he emphasized.
The introduction of these movement limits underscores the deteriorating security situation in Donetsk amid ongoing combat operations. The evacuation of civilians and partial suspension of public transportation due to shelling highlight the severe risks to residents’ safety and wellbeing. Experts anticipate that tensions will persist, making adherence to these new regulations essential to protect the civilian population in this volatile environment.
As the security situation continues to deteriorate in the region, the recent surge in attacks, including deadly strikes on civilian infrastructure, highlights the urgent need for residents to stay informed. In particular, the recent drone strikes in Kramatorsk serve as a stark reminder of the dangers present, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the newly imposed curfew and remaining vigilant amid ongoing hostilities.