Звіт з результатами моніторингового візиту Української Гельсінської спілки з прав людини за тематикою “Невибіркові обстріли житлових районів в зоні АТО”

The visit took place in Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, from October 3 to 8, 2015. The team consisted of XXXXX1 and XXXXX2, the team leader. The team's task was to conduct interviews with residents of Sartana and Shyrokyne in Mariupol District, Donetsk Oblast, whose homes were damaged during the conflict. The team conducted interviews with 43 local residents in Shyrokyne over two days. The residents reported that the first shelling of the village began in September 2014, but most people remained in their homes despite the shelling. By February 2015, residents of Shyrokyne were constantly witnessing clashes between two armies. Intensive shelling of the village began on approximately February 9-10, 2015, resulting in damage to many residential buildings, a store, a school, a kindergarten, and a church. According to the residents, 15 people were injured, and 8 civilians were killed, including 8 people who died from artillery shelling, sniper fire, and attacks on vehicles. Some residents reported not seeing military personnel on their streets, and people were confused about which side was responsible for the attacks. One resident, XXXXX, reported that her husband was killed by a sniper while she was trying to leave the village with her son. Another resident, XXXXX, reported that her home was damaged during the shelling, and she was forced to live in the basement for several months. She also reported that her home was looted by people from the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), who were based in her neighborhood. The team also conducted an interview with the head of Sartana, Stepan Makhsmo, on October 7, 2015. He reported that the first shelling of the village occurred on October 14, 2014, resulting in the deaths of 7 people and injuries to 16 others. The shelling damaged 12 residential buildings on Krayniy Street and part of General Kurkchi Street. The second shelling occurred on January 19, 2015, affecting approximately 53 residential buildings on Radyan Street, Apatova Street, 1st of May Street, and Dobrovolsky Street. The third shelling occurred on February 5, 2015, affecting approximately 27 residential buildings on Krayniy Street, Ogorodnya Street, and Stepanova Street. The team also interviewed a resident of Sartana whose home was damaged during the shelling on August 16, 2015. She reported that she and her grandchildren were at home when the shelling occurred, and a shell landed 5 meters from their house, damaging the gas pipe, windows, and roof. The team also collected information on other shelling incidents in Sartana, including one on February 14, 2015, which resulted in the death of 1 person and damage to 4 residential buildings. The conclusions of the visit were that indiscriminate shelling of civilian structures occurred in Shyrokyne and Sartana. In Shyrokyne, there were reports of civilian killings, looting, and marauding. Due to the current situation, it is not possible to investigate the circumstances of the shelling and looting in Shyrokyne. The collected material will be forwarded to the Department of Strategic Affairs for consideration of the possibility of initiating cases related to these incidents. The visit was conducted as part of the "Human Rights in Action" project, supported by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. The American people, through USAID, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for over 50 years. In Ukraine, USAID provides assistance in areas such as economic development, democracy and governance, health, and social sectors. Since 1992, USAID has provided Ukraine with technical and humanitarian assistance totaling $1.8 billion.