CINXE.COM

<!doctype html> <html lang="en-US"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <link rel="profile" href="https://gmpg.org/xfn/11"> <title>DONBAS ENVIRONMENT: INVISIBLE FRONT – Truth Hounds</title> <meta name='robots' content='max-image-preview:large' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//www.googletagmanager.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//vjs.zencdn.net' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Truth Hounds » Feed" href="https://truth-hounds.org/en/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Truth Hounds » Comments Feed" href="https://truth-hounds.org/en/comments/feed/" /> <script> window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/truth-hounds.org\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.5.5"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(i,n){var o,s,e;function c(e){try{var t={supportTests:e,timestamp:(new Date).valueOf()};sessionStorage.setItem(o,JSON.stringify(t))}catch(e){}}function p(e,t,n){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);var t=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data),r=(e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(n,0,0),new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data));return t.every(function(e,t){return e===r[t]})}function u(e,t,n){switch(t){case"flag":return n(e,"\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f","\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200b\u26a7\ufe0f")?!1:!n(e,"\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf3","\ud83c\uddfa\u200b\ud83c\uddf3")&&!n(e,"\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f","\ud83c\udff4\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc62\u200b\udb40\udc65\u200b\udb40\udc6e\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc7f");case"emoji":return!n(e,"\ud83d\udc26\u200d\u2b1b","\ud83d\udc26\u200b\u2b1b")}return!1}function f(e,t,n){var r="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope?new OffscreenCanvas(300,150):i.createElement("canvas"),a=r.getContext("2d",{willReadFrequently:!0}),o=(a.textBaseline="top",a.font="600 32px Arial",{});return e.forEach(function(e){o[e]=t(a,e,n)}),o}function t(e){var t=i.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=!0,i.head.appendChild(t)}"undefined"!=typeof Promise&&(o="wpEmojiSettingsSupports",s=["flag","emoji"],n.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},e=new Promise(function(e){i.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",e,{once:!0})}),new Promise(function(t){var n=function(){try{var e=JSON.parse(sessionStorage.getItem(o));if("object"==typeof e&&"number"==typeof e.timestamp&&(new Date).valueOf()<e.timestamp+604800&&"object"==typeof e.supportTests)return e.supportTests}catch(e){}return null}();if(!n){if("undefined"!=typeof Worker&&"undefined"!=typeof OffscreenCanvas&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&URL.createObjectURL&&"undefined"!=typeof Blob)try{var e="postMessage("+f.toString()+"("+[JSON.stringify(s),u.toString(),p.toString()].join(",")+"));",r=new Blob([e],{type:"text/javascript"}),a=new Worker(URL.createObjectURL(r),{name:"wpTestEmojiSupports"});return void(a.onmessage=function(e){c(n=e.data),a.terminate(),t(n)})}catch(e){}c(n=f(s,u,p))}t(n)}).then(function(e){for(var t in e)n.supports[t]=e[t],n.supports.everything=n.supports.everything&&n.supports[t],"flag"!==t&&(n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&n.supports[t]);n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!n.supports.flag,n.DOMReady=!1,n.readyCallback=function(){n.DOMReady=!0}}).then(function(){return e}).then(function(){var e;n.supports.everything||(n.readyCallback(),(e=n.source||{}).concatemoji?t(e.concatemoji):e.wpemoji&&e.twemoji&&(t(e.twemoji),t(e.wpemoji)))}))}((window,document),window._wpemojiSettings); </script> <style id='wp-emoji-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> img.wp-smiley, img.emoji { display: inline !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; height: 1em !important; width: 1em !important; margin: 0 0.07em !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; background: none !important; padding: 0 !important; } </style> <style id='pdfemb-pdf-embedder-viewer-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-pdfemb-pdf-embedder-viewer{max-width:none} </style> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> body{--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}body .is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}body .is-layout-flex > *{margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}body .is-layout-grid > *{margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} .wp-block-navigation a:where(:not(.wp-element-button)){color: inherit;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} .wp-block-pullquote{font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='videojs-css' href='//vjs.zencdn.net/5.4.6/video-js.min.css?ver=6.5.5' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ivory-search-styles-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/add-search-to-menu/public/css/ivory-search.min.css?ver=5.5.5' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='hello-elementor-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/themes/hello-elementor/style.min.css?ver=3.0.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='hello-elementor-theme-style-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/themes/hello-elementor/theme.min.css?ver=3.0.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='hello-elementor-header-footer-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/themes/hello-elementor/header-footer.min.css?ver=3.0.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-lazyload-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/css/modules/lazyload/frontend.min.css?ver=3.20.3' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-frontend-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/css/frontend-lite.min.css?ver=3.20.3' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='swiper-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/lib/swiper/v8/css/swiper.min.css?ver=8.4.5' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-post-6523-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/css/post-6523.css?ver=1727180153' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-pro-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor-pro/assets/css/frontend-lite.min.css?ver=3.20.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-global-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/css/global.css?ver=1727180153' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-post-4406-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/css/post-4406.css?ver=1727225960' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-post-8501-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/css/post-8501.css?ver=1727180216' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-post-12777-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/css/post-12777.css?ver=1727180153' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-post-8504-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/css/post-8504.css?ver=1727180153' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-post-8456-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/css/post-8456.css?ver=1727203046' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='google-fonts-1-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Inter%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2C400%2C400italic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic&display=auto&ver=6.5.5' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com/" crossorigin>   <script src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=GT-T9LXMR6" id="google_gtagjs-js" async></script> <script id="google_gtagjs-js-after"> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag("set","linker",{"domains":["truth-hounds.org"]}); gtag("js", new Date()); gtag("set", "developer_id.dZTNiMT", true); gtag("config", "GT-T9LXMR6"); </script>  <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.7.1" id="jquery-core-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.4.1" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" type="application/json" href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/4406" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://truth-hounds.org/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.5.5" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://truth-hounds.org/en/donbas-environment-invisible-front/" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://truth-hounds.org/?p=4406' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftruth-hounds.org%2Fen%2Fdonbas-environment-invisible-front%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftruth-hounds.org%2Fen%2Fdonbas-environment-invisible-front%2F&format=xml" /> <meta name="generator" content="Site Kit by Google 1.140.0" /> <script type="text/javascript"> document.createElement("video");document.createElement("audio");document.createElement("track"); </script> <script> document.documentElement.className = document.documentElement.className.replace( 'no-js', 'js' ); </script> <style> .no-js img.lazyload { display: none; } figure.wp-block-image img.lazyloading { min-width: 150px; } .lazyload, .lazyloading { opacity: 0; } .lazyloaded { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 400ms; transition-delay: 0ms; } </style> <meta name="generator" content="Elementor 3.20.3; features: e_optimized_assets_loading, e_optimized_css_loading, e_font_icon_svg, additional_custom_breakpoints, block_editor_assets_optimize, e_image_loading_optimization; settings: css_print_method-external, google_font-enabled, font_display-auto">  <script> ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { w[l] = w[l] || []; w[l].push( {'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js'} ); var f = d.getElementsByTagName( s )[0], j = d.createElement( s ), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? '&l=' + l : ''; j.async = true; j.src = 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; f.parentNode.insertBefore( j, f ); } )( window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-MRB38CW' ); </script>  <link rel="icon" href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/frame-2.svg" sizes="32x32" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/frame-2.svg" sizes="192x192" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/frame-2.svg" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/frame-2.svg" /> <style type="text/css" media="screen">.is-menu path.search-icon-path { fill: #848484;}body .popup-search-close:after, body .search-close:after { border-color: #848484;}body .popup-search-close:before, body .search-close:before { border-color: #848484;}</style> <style type="text/css"> .is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input::-webkit-input-placeholder { color: #bbfb00 !important; } .is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input:-moz-placeholder { color: #bbfb00 !important; opacity: 1; } .is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input::-moz-placeholder { color: #bbfb00 !important; opacity: 1; } .is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input:-ms-input-placeholder { color: #bbfb00 !important; } .is-form-style-1.is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input:focus, .is-form-style-1.is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input:hover, .is-form-style-1.is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input, .is-form-style-2.is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input:focus, .is-form-style-2.is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input:hover, .is-form-style-2.is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input, .is-form-style-3.is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input:focus, .is-form-style-3.is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input:hover, .is-form-style-3.is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input, .is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input:focus, .is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input:hover, .is-form-id-8449 .is-search-input { color: #bbfb00 !important; } </style> </head> <body data-rsssl=1 class="post-template-default single single-post postid-4406 single-format-standard wp-custom-logo hello-elementor e-lazyload elementor-default elementor-kit-6523 elementor-page elementor-page-4406">  <noscript> <iframe height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden" data-src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MRB38CW" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="></iframe> </noscript>  <a class="skip-link screen-reader-text" href="#content">Skip to content</a> <header id="site-header" class="site-header"> <div class="site-branding"> <a href="https://truth-hounds.org/en/homepage/" class="custom-logo-link" rel="home"><img width="190" height="17" alt="Truth Hounds" decoding="async" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/site-logo.svg" class="custom-logo lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="190" height="17" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/site-logo.svg" class="custom-logo" alt="Truth Hounds" decoding="async" /></noscript></a> </div> </header> <main id="content" class="site-main post-4406 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-analytics category-reports-en"> <header class="page-header"> <h1 class="entry-title">DONBAS ENVIRONMENT: INVISIBLE FRONT</h1> </header> <div class="page-content"> <div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="4406" class="elementor elementor-4406" data-elementor-post-type="post"> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8a8d982 animated-slow elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-invisible" data-id="8a8d982" data-element_type="section" data-settings="{"animation":"fadeInRight"}"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-66b5c95" data-id="66b5c95" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-a3fcef8 elementor-position-left elementor-view-default elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-vertical-align-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box" data-id="a3fcef8" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="icon-box.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/css/widget-icon-box.min.css"> <div class="elementor-icon-box-wrapper"> <div class="elementor-icon-box-icon"> <a href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/donbas-ecology-report-2021-truth-hounds_en.pdf" target="_blank" class="elementor-icon elementor-animation-" tabindex="-1"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="e-font-icon-svg e-far-file-pdf" viewBox="0 0 384 512" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M369.9 97.9L286 14C277 5 264.8-.1 252.1-.1H48C21.5 0 0 21.5 0 48v416c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h288c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V131.9c0-12.7-5.1-25-14.1-34zM332.1 128H256V51.9l76.1 76.1zM48 464V48h160v104c0 13.3 10.7 24 24 24h104v288H48zm250.2-143.7c-12.2-12-47-8.7-64.4-6.5-17.2-10.5-28.7-25-36.8-46.3 3.9-16.1 10.1-40.6 5.4-56-4.2-26.2-37.8-23.6-42.6-5.9-4.4 16.1-.4 38.5 7 67.1-10 23.9-24.9 56-35.4 74.4-20 10.3-47 26.2-51 46.2-3.3 15.8 26 55.2 76.1-31.2 22.4-7.4 46.8-16.5 68.4-20.1 18.9 10.2 41 17 55.8 17 25.5 0 28-28.2 17.5-38.7zm-198.1 77.8c5.1-13.7 24.5-29.5 30.4-35-19 30.3-30.4 35.7-30.4 35zm81.6-190.6c7.4 0 6.7 32.1 1.8 40.8-4.4-13.9-4.3-40.8-1.8-40.8zm-24.4 136.6c9.7-16.9 18-37 24.7-54.7 8.3 15.1 18.9 27.2 30.1 35.5-20.8 4.3-38.9 13.1-54.8 19.2zm131.6-5s-5 6-37.3-7.8c35.1-2.6 40.9 5.4 37.3 7.8z"></path></svg> </a> </div> <div class="elementor-icon-box-content"> <h3 class="elementor-icon-box-title"> <a href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/donbas-ecology-report-2021-truth-hounds_en.pdf" target="_blank" > Read the Report PDF </a> </h3> <p class="elementor-icon-box-description"> open in the new window </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f496c70 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="f496c70" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4c555d1" data-id="4c555d1" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-b888c5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="b888c5a" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <style>/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 26-03-2024 */ .elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container{height:100%;width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty{position:relative;min-height:22px;min-width:22px}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;margin:auto;padding:0;width:22px;height:22px}</style> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-59ca4861 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle" data-id="59ca4861" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-background-overlay"></div> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2325a57c" data-id="2325a57c" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-50d68745 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider" data-id="50d68745" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="divider.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <style>/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 26-03-2024 */ .elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:"";border-block-end:0;flex-grow:1;border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}</style> <div class="elementor-divider"> <span class="elementor-divider-separator"> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2ff2ae92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="2ff2ae92" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <style>/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 26-03-2024 */ .elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}</style> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-593e796c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="593e796c" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <style>/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 26-03-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}</style><h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">1. Summary</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e2a2c2e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="e2a2c2e" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-85c368f" data-id="85c368f" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-5a8ae07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="5a8ae07" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The ecological situation of the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which have become the backdrop to an armed conflict <br />with active armed hostilities from 2014 to 2021 and are partially under the control of occupying forces, has significantly deteriorated in recent years, showing signs of an ecological catastrophe. A tendency towards deterioration can be witnessed in the majority of the elements of the area’s ecosystems. This report provides an in-depth description of the status of these elements, the data of which has been collected and analyzed by Truth Hounds documenters. The research was conducted in the form of field missions in Luhansk and Donetsk regions in Ukrainian-controlled areas, as well as in the form of a so-called “desk study” that lasted several months. The data obtained testifies to the current state and the dynamics of changes in soil composition, surface and wastewater, the situation relating to coal, metallurgical, oil-refining and chemical industries and their <br />impact on the environment, flora and fauna, including forests, rare examples of species in nature reserves, infrastructure systems and supply in the region. In all cases, the hostilities and the occupying regime have a direct negative impact on the environment. The report also gives considerable attention to an analysis of international humanitarian law in order to provide a legal assessment of the actions in the context of military conflicts which harm the environment. The following are analyzed: the possibility of applying Art. 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, qualifying the facts here revealed as war crimes against the environment, and also mechanisms given for bringing both individuals and the violating state as a whole to international legal responsibility. The focus of the study is to articulate the urgency of ecological issues directly related to or resulting from the military conflict, their potentially transnational nature and the growing trend of threats in the absence of access to territories not under governmental control for appropriate monitoring, evaluation and influence on processes.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f1252cf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="f1252cf" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7da1043" data-id="7da1043" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-250bab5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="250bab5" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b6df123 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="b6df123" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e8fb1dc" data-id="e8fb1dc" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap"> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-330c7f2 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle" data-id="330c7f2" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-background-overlay"></div> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1e814ea" data-id="1e814ea" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-bcb3ab2 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider" data-id="bcb3ab2" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="divider.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-divider"> <span class="elementor-divider-separator"> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4f2c6fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="4f2c6fd" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-91e26ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="91e26ec" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">2. Objective of the report</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f02902a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="f02902a" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7f32741" data-id="7f32741" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7d89c3e elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="7d89c3e" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>This report addresses a number of matters, amongst which the following are the principal issues <br />at handі:</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f1b9725 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="f1b9725" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a24f5f1" data-id="a24f5f1" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1852c09 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="1852c09" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <ul><li>Indicating the direct and indirect impact on the environment of the occupying regime of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions</li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-45787cf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="45787cf" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-070b86c" data-id="070b86c" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-10e842a elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="10e842a" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <ul><li>Providing evidence that may indicate the committing of war crimes against the environment</li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2b32ec9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2b32ec9" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-adf289e" data-id="adf289e" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7652ede elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="7652ede" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <ul><li>Outlining qualifying mechanisms for revealed incidents under Art. 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine</li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eb59d37 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="eb59d37" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8aede03" data-id="8aede03" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f5803b2 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="f5803b2" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <ul><li>Emphasizing the urgency of ecological problems in the territory affected by military conflict, and declaring the need for urgent access for specialists and monitoring missions to sites posing an increasing danger in the non-government controlled territory</li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8fcdc15 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="8fcdc15" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c806066" data-id="c806066" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6d8b2e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="6d8b2e5" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5049a1a elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle" data-id="5049a1a" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-background-overlay"></div> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-36e00d5" data-id="36e00d5" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7ce65a3 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider" data-id="7ce65a3" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="divider.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-divider"> <span class="elementor-divider-separator"> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-565e1a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="565e1a3" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-71fd2ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="71fd2ab" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">3. Methodology of the report</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bb96ed2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="bb96ed2" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-afda60c" data-id="afda60c" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0ce8023 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="0ce8023" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The report has been created on the basis of information gathered by Truth Hounds during three field missions, of a total duration <br />of 18 days, conducted in Donetsk and Luhansk regions in November 2019, and March and April 2021, as well as in places and areas which are impacted by the conflict. The field teams visited industrial facilities, institutions and sites, as well as a nature reserve, and they investigated and uncovered the facts of real, as well as potential, harm to the environment in the context of the armed conflict. A number of meetings were conducted with heads of coal mining enterprises, engineers, specialists in the ecology of military-civilian administrations, employees of nature reserves, representatives of local communities, and activists.<br />Since the aim of the report is not only the collection of data that may indicate the committing of war crimes against the environment, but also the raising of awareness in regard to environmental problems in the region, in preparation for writing the report, the documenters used a method of combining documenting facts, which consisted of both a “classical” approach to the gathering of information, such as interviewing witnesses and using photo and video recordings of the incident site, and obtaining data by conducting standard interviews with industry experts and representatives of various enterprises, services, and departments. In addition, in the process in writing the report, we conducted our own research on the impact of the military conflict on the environment, which consisted of collecting soil and water samples and subsequently transferring them to the relevant laboratory for analysis, the results of which are given in this report. A significant part of the work was the “desk study”, during which reports were studied by various departments, organizations and high-profile institutions in order to trace the dynamics of changes and to compile a comprehensive picture of the subject under investigation.<br />The time limits of the research are defined as the beginning of summer 2014 until the present.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4f1bc50 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="4f1bc50" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1ab964d" data-id="1ab964d" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e4a21f6 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="e4a21f6" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-16c8ef2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="16c8ef2" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9769c21" data-id="9769c21" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap"> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-36fffda elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle" data-id="36fffda" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-background-overlay"></div> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4b3bd05" data-id="4b3bd05" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2df7a2a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider" data-id="2df7a2a" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="divider.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-divider"> <span class="elementor-divider-separator"> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0c090ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="0c090ad" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-8d22c15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="8d22c15" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">4. Structure of the report</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7a231ef elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="7a231ef" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-efbf3f3" data-id="efbf3f3" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-acfe867 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="acfe867" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>This report comprises legal information, providing a general definition of war crimes against the environment and determining the mechanisms for the application of the norms of international humanitarian law for the establishment and correct qualification of this type of crime. In a largely descriptive section there is a considerable amount of actual data on cases where the military conflict has negatively impacted the environment, and some actual data on the extent of damage is additionally highlighted. This section is divided thematically according to the various types of ecological damage and their sources. At the end of the report, a legal analysis of whether the facts can be qualified as war crimes against the environment is given. Moreover, a list of recommendations to the executive and informal structures, decision makers, as well as other persons of influence is given.</p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6b9f785 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="6b9f785" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5a3fb53 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle" data-id="5a3fb53" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-background-overlay"></div> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4dfaf38" data-id="4dfaf38" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0aae743 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider" data-id="0aae743" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="divider.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-divider"> <span class="elementor-divider-separator"> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4f9c1c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="4f9c1c1" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-5a8ba03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="5a8ba03" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">5. Protection of the environment in IHL</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cd18dfc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="cd18dfc" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5f865ba" data-id="5f865ba" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ed92faf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="ed92faf" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the obvious and justified focus of IHL on the protection of the victims of armed conflict and civilian objects, the principles of IHL, the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions, customary IHL norms, and the norms of “environmental” conventions lay the foundations for the protection of the environment in armed conflict. In regard to principles, the key guidelines in IHL for protection of the environment are the principle of distinction, which requires attacks to be directed solely at military objectives and, in exceptional cases, civilian targets if so required by urgent military necessity. The principle is customary in nature, but some of its nuances are also found in Article 23 (g) of the Hague Regulations<a href="#link">[1]</a> of 1907, Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention<a href="#link">[2]</a> , and Articles 48 and 52 of Additional Protocol I (AP I)<a href="#link">[3]</a> , among others. For the environment, the principle involves the banning of making natural objects, or the environment as such, the object of an attack. Other IHL principles offer an understanding of how hostilities are to be conducted when there exists the threat that they may pose a threat to the environment. These principles are the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks, the principle of proportionality, and taking precautionary measures. Special IHL regulation of protection of the environment is concentrated in a number of articles of AP I and a special international treaty, the Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques (the so-called ENMOD Convention)<a href="#link">[4]</a> . The most relevant provisions of AP I (and, thus, the provisions applicable in the event of an international armed conflict) relating to the environment are:</span></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Article 35, which prohibits “to employ methods or means of warfare which are intended, or may be expected, to cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment”; </span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Article 55, which requires that, “Care shall be taken in warfare to protect the natural environment against widespread, longterm and severe damage”, and stipulates that “This protection includes a prohibition of the use of methods or means of warfare which are intended or may be expected to cause such damage to the natural environment and thereby to prejudice the health or survival of the population”; </span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Article 56, which protects works and installations containing dangerous forces (dams, dykes, nuclear electrical generating stations) from attacks, retaliation</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The ENMOD Convention is devoted exclusively to the protection of the environment during armed conflict (as is the case of AP I, this Convention applies exclusively to international armed conflict). The key commitment made by the parties to the Convention (including Ukraine and the Russian Federation) is that of not engaging in “military or any other hostile use of environmental modification techniques having widespread, long-lasting or severe effects as the means of destruction, damage or injury to any other State Party”. The Convention specifies that the term “environmental modification techniques” is to be understood as “any technique for changing – through the deliberate manipulation of natural processes – the dynamics, composition or structure of the Earth, including its biota, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, or of outer space”. An examination of these international legal norms on the protection of the environment during armed conflicts allows a clarification of what may be considered a breach of IHL obligations. Before directly assessing the information gathered by Truth Hounds documenters and presented in this report, it should be noted that the AP I and the ENMOD Convention set different thresholds for the application of the provisions of these agreements. Thus, in the first case, impacting the environment in such a way that cumulatively causes wide-ranging, long-term and serious damage is prohibited. In the case of the Convention, however, States’ obligation to protect the environment is activated when “widespread, long-term or severe effects” are concerned. This signifies that the threshold for the application of AP I is higher than that of the ENMOD Convention. In regard to definitions of widespread, longterm or severe effects, the texts of AP I and the ENMOD Convention do not provide specific guidance on the relevant definitions. However, the doctrine and, in particular, the commentary of the International Committee of the Red Cross to these international treaties, allows for the formulation of approaches for establishing their possible meaning. Thus, widespread damage (effects) means that which affects several hundred square kilometers, long-term means a period approximately equal to a season (3 months), or up to several decades in the case of ENMOD, and severe involves significant damage to human life, natural economic resources and other assets. A further, important preliminary remark is that AP I, unlike the ENMOD Convention, does not require harm to the environment, but only the possibility of (potential for) harm.</span></p><p> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0881af1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="0881af1" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b0a6f5f" data-id="b0a6f5f" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-9e38024 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="9e38024" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">5.1. War crimes against the environment</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-94999e3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="94999e3" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e65f7a2" data-id="e65f7a2" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ef0c1d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="ef0c1d3" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">nternational treaties on IHL, to which Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine refers in particular<a href="#link">[5]</a> , do not clearly indicate which attack on the environment could be considered a serious violation of IHL and, consequently, a war crime. However, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court may serve as a guide in this sense6 . Article 8(2)(b)(iv) of the RS defines a war crime as “Intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects or widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated”. As is evident from the wording, the RS uses the formula of AP I, which requires the cumulative presence of widespread, long-term and severe damage to the environment. In addition to the RS, Elements of Crimes offers a further explanation of this crime, requiring the following elements::</span></p><p> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-da350ce elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="da350ce" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-085c632" data-id="085c632" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-cfd4d03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="cfd4d03" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <ol><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Material element. The material element of the war crime in question presupposes, first of all, the committing of an attack. For the purposes of this article of the RS, an attack can signify not only an armed attack, but also any acts of violence. In addition, this element involves causing widespread, long-term and severe damage to the environment. Furthermore, the Elements of Crimes requires such damage to be clearly disproportionate to the expected immediate military superiority that perpetrators hoped to obtain. b. Mental element. In accordance with the Elements of Crime, the act must have been committed intentionally, with the awareness that the attack would cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the environment. c. Contextual element. This element consists of committing an act in the context of an international armed conflict and the perpetrator being aware of the existence of an armed conflict. Therefore, here we can only state that the ICC has recognized that, at least in part, the armed conflict is international in nature. This fact has also repeatedly been confirmed in other Truth Hounds reports<a href="#link">[7]</a> . With this in mind, the actions documented in this report are considered to have been committed in the context of an international armed conflict. The existence of an armed conflict could not but be known to the perpetrators of the documented actions, since they took part in it, were subordinate to military command, performed its tasks, and were present in the areas of military operations.</span></li></ol> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a464a0d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a464a0d" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-76f1594" data-id="76f1594" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-584fdd1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="584fdd1" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9023a96 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="9023a96" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b35060b" data-id="b35060b" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-b92f9d3 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="b92f9d3" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">6. Risks to the environment caused by disruption to mine workings</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dcdbffa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="dcdbffa" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3923150" data-id="3923150" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-22b87f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="22b87f8" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>General characteristics: in total, there are currently 220 coal mines in the Donetsk coal basin, 97 of which are operational, 14 of <br />which are in drainage mode, 39 of which are flooding, and 70 of which are in the process of closure. In total, only two mines have been deregistered due to the completion of closure<a href="#link">[8]</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c4e7c22 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="c4e7c22" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a721d9a" data-id="a721d9a" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-db0e537 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="db0e537" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <style>/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 26-03-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}</style> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="616" height="351" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-001.jpg 616w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-001-470x268.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-001-170x97.jpg 170w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-001.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 616px) 100vw, 616px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4055 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="616" height="351" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-001.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4055" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-001.jpg 616w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-001-470x268.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-001-170x97.jpg 170w" sizes="(max-width: 616px) 100vw, 616px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"> Mining industry facilities in the region.9</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4aaae45 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="4aaae45" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8a984d0" data-id="8a984d0" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-90b25ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="90b25ca" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>One defining feature of the mines of this region is that many of them are linked by hydrological underground connections, in particular the mines that are located on different sides of the front line (for example, the “Pivdenna” mine in Toretsk and the “Haharin” mine in Horlivka (not under government control). <br />A general characteristic is that all of the mines in the region are critical infrastructure, and are therefore potentially dangerous facilities <a href="#link">[9]</a> (high-risk facilities, according to the legal definition)<a href="#link">[10]</a>. The performance indicators of the mines show significant changes resulting from the armed conflict. It should be noted that the situation in regard to mines not under government control is not well known, as there is no access to the facilities themselves, and any information has to be obtained from open sources of the relevant “official” bodies or from relevant groups of social network users. Thus, the data on objects in the non-government controlled territory contained in this report may at times not coincide with factual data. The table below gives an overview of the situation in relation to the mines of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions between 2014 and 2019 (in parentheses, the first figure refers to the objects of the government-controlled area, and the second, to the so-called “DPR” and “LPR”):</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8b366ef elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="8b366ef" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-17c454f" data-id="17c454f" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-348e6b5 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="348e6b5" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img decoding="async" width="800" height="403" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241-970x489.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241-470x237.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241-170x86.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241-768x388.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241.png 981w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241-970x489.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4474 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" width="800" height="403" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241-970x489.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4474" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241-970x489.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241-470x237.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241-170x86.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241-768x388.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03241.png 981w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-be08621 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="be08621" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cbe41ca" data-id="cbe41ca" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-75644c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="75644c0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Prerequisites for the emergence of and increase in environmental risks. As is well known, active hostilities have taken place and still continue in the military conflict in eastern Ukraine in areas with sustained and very intensive coal mining activities. Currently, <br />of the 97 operating coal mines, more than 75 are located in territories not controlled by the Ukrainian government.11 At the same time, the places of the greatest accumulation and intensity of coal production are found in the occupied territories: Donetsk, Makiivka, Horlivka, and Yenakiieve. Due to a combination of various factors (lack of effective leadership and modernization, gaps in legislation, corruption and political pressure factors in the region), the territory of the Donetsk coal basin <br />has always been a zone of increased ecological risk. However, with the start of hostilities in April 2014, the risk of uncontrolled, large scale pollution in the context of the specificity of the region’s coal mining has increased tenfold. It should be noted that the situation in which mining sites in eastern Ukraine find themselves due to the military conflict causes <a href="#link">[11]</a> great concern among environmental experts. <br />This is primarily due to the scale of the threat to the environment, as well as the complexity of the problem, the difficulties of predicting and overcoming its consequences, and the potential transnational nature of its spread.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-59a6dd4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="59a6dd4" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-02a740f" data-id="02a740f" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7a12e44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="7a12e44" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>There are two main factors – direct consequences of the war in the Donbas – which negatively affect the condition of mines <br />and related industries, and which can cause significant environmental damage:<br />1. The hostilities themselves (directly).<br />2. The occupying regime in a territory with a considerable concentration of coal mining sites</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2da3099 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2da3099" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bb7d041" data-id="bb7d041" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-068edd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="068edd2" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The density of coal mining in the Donbas has led to many of these mines becoming a backdrop to hostilities for years of the military conflict. Thus, between 2014 and 2017, the territory of the “Butivka” mine, which is located on the border of Ukrainian Armed Forces-controlled Avdiivka and the village of Spartak (a suburb of Donetsk), under the control of militants of the so-called “DPR”, <span style="font-size: 15px;">was hit hundreds of times with mortars and heavy artillery. Currently, the territory of the mine is completely destroyed, to such an extent that it cannot be restored, and the mine operation has been halted.<a href="#link">[12]</a> The “Zasiadka” mine, located in non-government-controlled territory in the Kyivskyi district of Donetsk, also fell into the battleground. According to reports from the<br>media of the so-called “DPR”, the mine lost power due to massive artillery shelling by the AFU, as a result of which the facility’s employees had to be evacuated, and 200 miners were trapped underground for several days13. Also on the front line was the “Pivdenna” mine in Toretsk (formerly Dzerzhynsk). According to a witness14, in the summer of 2014 there were several mortar hits on the territory of the mine, from which two miners received shrapnel wounds. Later that year, another mine worker was killed by a landmine. Now the work at the mine is completely halted, and there is no access to it due to the proximity of the AFU. Also in 2014, the “Toretska” mine suffered shelling and damage to premises and equipment. Constant shelling led to production<br>shutdowns, evacuations, and frequent power outage, as a result of which dozens of miners were underground in the dark for hours, without food or water. Since 2014, 5 of the 7 coal mines in Toretsk belonging to the “Toretskvuhillia” SOC have been closed, owing to the hostilities and the related risks to employees’ lives, as well as the risk of destruction of the mines themselves.<br>In regard to the Luhansk region, the “Rodina” mine is located in the area of greatest risk, near to which there is a checkpoint where Ukrainian border guards and servicemen of the AFU serve. Periodic shelling is carried out from the side of </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">the village of “Zolote-5” by representatives of illegal armed groups of the so-called “LPR”15. At present, due to the proximity of hostilities and their consequences (permanent power outages), only 3 of the 7 mines of the SOC “Pervomaiskvuhillia” are partially operational. The occupying regime, imposed by pro Russian militants in the occupied territories has had an extremely negative impact on the coal industry as a whole. Approximately 60% of the total number of mines are completely closed or in the process of closure. The seizure and closure of mines has been haphazard and uncontrolled, and the dismantling of facilities has often consisted of simply sawing them into scrap metal, which is subsequently moved to the Russian Federation. This was the case with the “Nikanor Nova” mine in Zorynsk in the Luhansk region16, and at the “Abakumova” mine in Donetsk17. Maintaining mines in a working state has been unprofitable due to the high cost of coal and the lack of a market for it. The proximity of hostilities, causing power outages, destruction and making operational repairs impossible, has made operating most of the mines dangerous and sometimes physically impossible. Owing to this, the majority of the mines have ceased operations. However, the closure process of all coal mining facilities in non-government-controlled territories is being carried out with technological violations, and without complying with any requirements of the mine restructuring process. Consequently, practically abandoned mines are flooded uncontrollably with groundwater, and the condition of the underground mining sites is not monitored. There is therefore a high risk of subsidence and even sinkholes, the flooding of large areas, and methane leakages. These </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">can in turn cause explosions, destruction and poisoning of the population, as well as a number of other threats of an ecological and socio-economic nature. In this context, the most serious problem is the lack of access to sites that pose a potential risk of environmental pollution. Despite numerous attempts and requests for specialists to be admitted to monitor dangerous facilities or to at least obtain information about them, the authorities of the so-called “DPR” and “LPR” have each time flatly denied any such opportunity to the Ukrainian side</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-447e0fa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="447e0fa" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-361b0b0" data-id="361b0b0" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-3d32fc9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="3d32fc9" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-90f31a9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="90f31a9" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c491e56" data-id="c491e56" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1de2da9 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="1de2da9" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">6.1 Principal risks and threats of an ecological nature associated with mine closures.</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-674bd7f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="674bd7f" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-601f3f3" data-id="601f3f3" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c70a818 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="c70a818" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The hurried closure of mines which is currently taking place in the military conflict zone in eastern Ukraine and is caused by it, entails a number of risks to the environment. These occur, first and foremost, due to violations of the order and technologies of safe closure of coal mining enterprises. These violations, in turn, trigger processes such as the complete or partial flooding of mines, the halting of ventilation, changes in pressure within mines, changes in pressure around mine workings, an acceleration in weathering processes, and the improper disposal of slag heaps which are harmful to the environment. The principal risks are:<br /><br /></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e22b3b8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="e22b3b8" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5828fa5" data-id="5828fa5" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c380e6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="c380e6f" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The risk of underground flooding or flooding on the surface;<br />The risk of mine water polluting groundwater and surface water;<br />The risk of subsidence of earth on the surface, along with the destruction of buildings and infrastructure;<br />The risk of man-made earthquakes;<br />The risk of leakages and explosions of methane and other gases from the mines;<br />The risk of the deterioration in the soil quality;<br />The risk of runoff of hazardous substances from slag heaps to groundwater and surface water;<br />The risk of gases from mines entering the atmosphere.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d1143c6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="d1143c6" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6dc675a" data-id="6dc675a" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-9a0e3a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="9a0e3a4" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The risk of underground flooding or flooding on the surface. ЗConsidering the fact that all of the mines are located in densely populated areas, a significant rise in the water level of the mines can cause surface flooding in large areas, including of residential buildings and farmland which are located above mines. In this context, the problem of the uncontrolled flooding of mines in the occupied territories is, once again, acute. As mentioned above, some mines have hydrological connections with each other and, therefore, mines located on different sides of the front line are connected. This is, for example, the case in Toretsk, where two mines, “Artema” and “Nova”, are interconnected and receive mine water from the “Pivdenna” mine which, in turn, is connected with the “Haharin” mine, located in occupied Horlivka. When this mine is flooded, conditions allow for the flow of water to adjacent mines, and from there, they threaten to flood part of the territory of Toretsk. Currently, there is no information about the rising water level in the “Haharin” mine, and as such, it is impossible to determine the degree of risk. At the same time, representatives of the military-civil administration of Toretsk repeatedly recorded flooding of residential buildings in Toretsk, the village of Pivnichne, the Samannyi district and the village of Dachne, in the period between spring and autumn 2020.18 Returning to the issue of the flooding of mines in the occupied part of the Donetsk region, the total lack of data on the<br />mines of SOC “Artemvuhillia” (Horlivka) and SOC “Ordzhonikidzevuhillia” (Yenakiive) must be noted. In the event of the level of mine water rising to the surface level19, it is possible that flooding processes would develop in part of the territories of the cities of Horlivka, Vuhlehirsk, Yenakiive and Bunhe (Yunokomunarivsk). An even more serious situation has arisen in the “Pervomaiskvuhillia” SOC, located in Zolote in the Luhansk region. A number of mines there have adjacent underground faults, namely the “Karbonit”, “Zolote”, “Hirska” (governmentcontrolled territory), “Pervomaiska”, “Holubovska” and “Rodina” (occupied territory) mines. It should be noted that the Zolote mine is a water protection facility for the mines of the whole Pervomaiska group. For some time (2014 – 2016) the “Rodina”, “Pervomaiska” and “Holubovska” mines were working exclusively in drainage mode and were restricting the flow of mine water to the operational mines of the Pervomaiska group. However, due to constant<br />power outages and shelling, the water pumping stopped. Instead, it accumulated in the workings of the mine and seeped through cracks in the rock, gradually forcing its course. In May 2018 there was an uncontrolled breakthrough of mine water from the flooded mines of “Rodina” and “Holubovska” to the side of the hydrologically connected “Zolote” mine. As a result, the rate of water flow at the Zolote mine increased to 2,000 cubic meters per hour (the inflow limit of the “Zolote” mine is 280m3/hr). To resolve this emergency and to avoid an emergency in the short term, additional pumps were installed at the mine and more than 131 million hryvnias were allocated from the reserve fund of the State budget in order to reduce the consequences of the disaster.<br />However, the measures taken have not entirely resolved the situation, and there is currently a trend of an increasing volume of incoming water. This will necessitate the installation of additional capacity at the enterprise, and the organization of processes<br />of purification and storage of waste mine water in septic tanks.20</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-707b087 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="707b087" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-607527a" data-id="607527a" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-beacdcd elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="beacdcd" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="650" height="488" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-002.jpg 650w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-002-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-002-170x128.jpg 170w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-002.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4056 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="650" height="488" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-002.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4056" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-002.jpg 650w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-002-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-002-170x128.jpg 170w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">The flow of water from “Holubivska” mine to “Hirska” mine. Source: official website of the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Image heading: Schema of water flow from “Holubivska” mine to ‘Hirska” mine Key to image (from left to right): “Hirska” mine; “Raduha” mine; “Karbonit” mine; “Zolote” mine; “Rodina” mine; “Pervomaiska” mine; “Holubivska” mine. Г – depth, М.куб/год – cubic meters per hour, 02.05.2018 owing to a breakthrough at a depth of 775m, the flow of water is 2,000 m3/hour “Напрямок перетоку води” – Direction of water flow </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3f36470 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="3f36470" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d6e3692" data-id="d6e3692" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c83c9c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="c83c9c4" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Thanks to the installation of pumps, it was possible to temporarily stop the flooding of the Pervomaisk group of mines. Currently, water is pumped out of the “Zolote” mine from level 687 at the -534m mark, but the critical threshold for the water flow to the “Karbonit” mine is the -520m mark, meaning that there is only a reserve of 14 meters at the “Zolote” mine to contain a potential emergency.22</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-62bdf64 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="62bdf64" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fa0a47a" data-id="fa0a47a" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-72e6dfd elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="72e6dfd" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-003.jpg 960w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-003-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-003-170x128.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-003-768x576.jpg 768w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-003.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4057 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-003.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4057" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-003.jpg 960w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-003-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-003-170x128.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-003-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Schema of the flooding of “Pervomaiskvuhillia” SOC mines. Source: official website of the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Image title: Flooding of the “Pervomaiskvuhillia” SOC mines Image text: 131.2 million hryvnia were allocated by the Government in 2018 for flood prevention and technological-ecological disasters. Mine names, left to right and top to bottom: Hirska; Karbonit; Zolote; Rodina; Pervomaiska; Holubivska.</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-13fc754 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="13fc754" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8c60c08" data-id="8c60c08" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-b06cbc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="b06cbc5" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Risk of groundwater and surface water pollution by mine water. Mine water has an extremely diverse chemical composition, and is unfit for drinking, as well as for use for technical, and even more so for domestic purposes, without pre-treatment. <br />During the process of mining, water is exposes to various types of pollution and is characterized by increased mineralization, including with sulfates and chlorides, as well as high levels of iron and other heavy metals. Truth Hounds documenters took a sample of wastewater from the “Tsentralna” mine in Toretsk, and transferred it to the laboratory of the SiverskyiDonets Basin Water Resources Department. <br />The results of the water composition analysis can be viewed in the table below:</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-21ef69e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="21ef69e" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-88613ca" data-id="88613ca" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-b357bc3 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="b357bc3" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="258" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242-970x313.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242-470x152.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242-170x55.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242-768x248.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242.png 1007w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242-970x313.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4488 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="258" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242-970x313.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4488" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242-970x313.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242-470x152.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242-170x55.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242-768x248.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03242.png 1007w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d9512a8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="d9512a8" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b639508" data-id="b639508" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-353d1ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="353d1ab" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>As can be seen from the table, if the quantity of metals is found to be within the norm with slightly high levels, the content of chlorides and sulfates demonstrates that this water cannot be released into reservoirs or open areas without undergoing prior treatment. The situation at various mining sites is complicated by the fact that after passing through the mine passages, groundwater collects not only the products of coal mining in which a particular facility specializes. Since the size of the depression funnels of flooded 24 Here: the characteristic of changes in soil around the bore with a steady inflow of groundwater, which have the shape of a funnel mines is rather large24, surface water and melt water, as well as sewage water from damaged storage sites, reach the coal mining wells. Leaching of wastewater from storage sites and drainage systems also occurs. The <br />treatment of mine water and compliance with norms for their withdrawal are therefore a priority in coal mining in the context of <br />environmental protection. Over the course of a year, approximately 4 million cubic meters of mine water are pumped out of the two operational mines of “Toretskvuhillia” alone.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-157feae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="157feae" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-12eb606" data-id="12eb606" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-a7a7574 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="a7a7574" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="450" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004-970x546.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004-470x264.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004-170x96.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004-768x432.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004.jpg 1040w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004-970x546.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4058 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="450" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004-970x546.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4058" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004-970x546.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004-470x264.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004-170x96.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004-768x432.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-004.jpg 1040w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Pond near the village of Standartne after the release of groundwater from the Bulavynka mine, May 2020. Photo from open sources</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f598f54 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="f598f54" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ce62872" data-id="ce62872" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-edbec3a elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="edbec3a" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="753" height="404" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-005.png 753w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-005-470x252.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-005-170x91.png 170w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-005.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 753px) 100vw, 753px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4059 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="753" height="404" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-005.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4059" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-005.png 753w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-005-470x252.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-005-170x91.png 170w" sizes="(max-width: 753px) 100vw, 753px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Screenshot from a page of a group on the social network “Vkontakte”. Translation of screenshot: Talia Svetlaya: Yevgeniy, no pumping has been going on there for a long time. Yevgeniy: Talia, where is the water coming from? So much and in such a great volume Talia Svetlaya: It is coming up by itself, there is no pumping going on there, the mine is completely closed. There used to be pumping at Bulavinka, but there isn’t even pumping there anymore. It should have been built at Profintern. But the money was stolen and it probably won’t happen</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-988f0f6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="988f0f6" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f9e474c" data-id="f9e474c" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e83b2d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="e83b2d1" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Despite the relatively proper drainage systems in these mines, the analysis of drinking water sources in the surrounding areas showed that in only 2 of the 11 sources the water meets the accepted standards. In other samples, the dry residue is significantly excessive, which indicates increased mineralization of drinking water25. This situation can be extrapolated to the occupied territories, while the scale of the damage should be increased, as three times more mines are operated, drained or flooded along the front line than in government controlled territory. The catastrophic nature of the situation in regard to the release of mine water can be perceived from the state of the reservoirs of the village of Standartne, near to Yenakiive. Residents of Yenakiive claim that the source of the problem was non functioning drainage in destroyed and flooded mines, including the “Bulavynka” mine26. Contaminated water from this mine enters the Kryvyi Torets and subsequently the Siverskyi Donets.<br />Due to the arbitrary flooding of mines in the non-government-controlled territory of the Luhansk region in the area of the<br />village of Zolote, there is massive pollution of the Komyshuvakha River. As mentioned above, a large volume of water flows from<br />the “Holubovska” and “Rodina” mines to the “Zolote” mine, which is located in territory controlled by the Ukrainian government. The water treatment capacity of “Zolote” cannot cope with the volume of incoming water. There is, consequently, direct discharge into the local river.27 As of April 2021, the Komyshuvakha River looked like this:</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-28007d9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="28007d9" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2b9c280" data-id="2b9c280" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-06a7678 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="06a7678" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="716" height="1024" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-716x1024.jpg 716w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-419x600.jpg 419w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-119x170.jpg 119w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-768x1099.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-1073x1536.jpg 1073w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-1431x2048.jpg 1431w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-scaled.jpg 1789w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-716x1024.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4061 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="716" height="1024" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-716x1024.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4061" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-716x1024.jpg 716w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-419x600.jpg 419w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-119x170.jpg 119w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-768x1099.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-1073x1536.jpg 1073w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-1431x2048.jpg 1431w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-007-scaled.jpg 1789w" sizes="(max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2bf7f1f" data-id="2bf7f1f" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-3e8a545 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="3e8a545" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="702" height="1024" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-702x1024.jpg 702w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-411x600.jpg 411w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-117x170.jpg 117w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-768x1121.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-1053x1536.jpg 1053w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-1404x2048.jpg 1404w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-scaled.jpg 1754w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-702x1024.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4060 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="702" height="1024" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-702x1024.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4060" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-702x1024.jpg 702w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-411x600.jpg 411w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-117x170.jpg 117w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-768x1121.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-1053x1536.jpg 1053w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-1404x2048.jpg 1404w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-006-scaled.jpg 1754w" sizes="(max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3650b08 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="3650b08" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4dd155c" data-id="4dd155c" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-841d03f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="841d03f" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Komyshuvakha River, village of Zolote, Luhansk region. Photo by Truth Hounds, April 7, 2021</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7672df5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="7672df5" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8cdf534" data-id="8cdf534" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7a38550 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="7a38550" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>In order to ascertain the level of pollution of this river, Truth Hounds documenters took a water sample from it and transferred this to the laboratory of the Siverskyi-Donets Basin Department of Water Resources (Sloviansk). <br />The results of the water analysis showed that its physical-chemical composition significantly exceeds the maximum acceptable levels for such an environment.28 It is important to bear in mind that the hydrographical specificity of the region is that virtually all untreated mine water, upon entering open areas, deans, reservoirs and rivers of the Siverskyi-Donets basin, then flows directly into the Siverskyi-Donets, the main river of the region. The polluted waters subsequently flow through the south of the Belgorod and Rostov regions of the Russian Federation, enter the Don River, and from there, the Sea of Azov. Thus, the pollution in question is trans-national in nature.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f0ed899 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="f0ed899" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4ab23bb" data-id="4ab23bb" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-dc047cc elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="dc047cc" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="665" height="214" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-3.png 665w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-3-470x151.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-3-170x55.png 170w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-3.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 665px) 100vw, 665px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4138 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="665" height="214" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-3.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4138" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-3.png 665w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-3-470x151.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-3-170x55.png 170w" sizes="(max-width: 665px) 100vw, 665px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-113cf68 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="113cf68" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c6d31e" data-id="1c6d31e" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-fc1c0de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="fc1c0de" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The risk of subsidence of surface soil with the destruction of buildings and infrastructure. As a result of intensive and long-term coal mining, almost the entire surface of the earth in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions has exploited space beneath it. In particular, the underground soil heaps of Donetska, Makiivska and Yenakiievska industrial agglomerations are in such a state. In addition, the flooding of mines has an extremely negative effect on soil density, causing subsidence, landslides and even <br />sinkholes. These problems can also be caused by the improper disposal of used materials and mass unauthorized coal mining at shallow depths. The gradual or sudden subsidence of the surface of earth can cause significant destruction of residential buildings, industrial and social infrastructure, roads and railways, bridges, underground communications, parts of the gas and water supply systems, and sewage systems.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0f8ed2c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="0f8ed2c" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4397079" data-id="4397079" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e3dbe75 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="e3dbe75" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="550" height="412" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-008.jpg 550w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-008-470x352.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-008-170x127.jpg 170w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-008.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4062 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="550" height="412" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-008.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4062" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-008.jpg 550w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-008-470x352.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-008-170x127.jpg 170w" sizes="(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Sinkhole in Makiivka, photo from open sources</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a2568cf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a2568cf" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-79ddda7" data-id="79ddda7" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2dee23e elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="2dee23e" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="445" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-970x540.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-470x262.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-170x95.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-768x428.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-1536x855.png 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009.png 1911w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-970x540.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4063 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="445" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-970x540.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4063" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-970x540.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-470x262.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-170x95.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-768x428.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009-1536x855.png 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-009.png 1911w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Freeze frame from material of the TV company “Oplot TV” of the so-called “DPR” from 29.05.202032</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5ac2147 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="5ac2147" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-46ea63e" data-id="46ea63e" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-65276af elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="65276af" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>In residential areas located in the government-controlled parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, hydrogeological surveys are <br />conducted directly on the ground. These surveys determine displacements of the soil surface, primarily considering the condition of aboveground buildings. The data obtained during the survey of the village of Pivdenne, located near the mine of the same name, showed numerous cracks in the walls and foundations of residential buildings, as well32as misshaping of door and <br />window openings.33 It should, however, be noted that since the beginning of the conflict, these surveys have not been systematic, and are not so much initiated by local authorities as by international support through sporadic projects..</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-756bda3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="756bda3" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4e80a6b" data-id="4e80a6b" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6d8d5ea elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="6d8d5ea" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="597" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-970x724.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-470x351.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-170x127.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-768x573.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-1536x1146.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010.jpg 2012w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-970x724.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4064 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="597" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-970x724.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4064" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-970x724.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-470x351.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-170x127.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-768x573.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010-1536x1146.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-010.jpg 2012w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">A crack in the façade of a house in the village of Pivdenne, Donetsk region. Photo source via the link 34</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-14cb80a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="14cb80a" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2df7554" data-id="2df7554" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-d05c2dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="d05c2dd" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Risk of man-made earthquakes. If water is not pumped out of mine wells, and is left as “wet conservation”, the submerged soils <br />lose density and spread out. These phenomena can cause a sudden expulsion of water. Such hydraulic shocks can be accompanied by local, so-called “man-made” earthquakes. The intensity of these earthquakes can reach 4 – 5 points on the Richter scale. This phenomenon is mentioned in the State Service for Geology and Subsoil of Ukraine’s34 description of exogenous geological processes35. Yevheniy Oleksandrovych Yakovliev, an academic and Doctor of Technological Sciences, has warned of the danger of man-made/technological earthquakes. He noted that the whole of the Donbas is on the verge of crisis due to rising groundwater, which can lead to seismic activity. He gave the following examples: “In February 2018, in the “gray zone” in the village of Chyhari near Toretsk, the ground collapsed by 5 meters, and landslides damaged the water supply. In Toretsk itself, also in 2018, a large scale mudslide was reported, which then flowed and damaged the defensive fortifications of <br />the Ukrainian Army.”36 As for the temporarily occupied territories, the residents of Makiivka and neighboring villages were able to bear witness to this situation. Thus, starting in 2018, messages from local residents about strong earthquakes of unknown origin began to appear periodically on social networks. These tremors damaged residential buildings and caused cracks in the ground and asphalt. The most recent tremors were felt by residents of the village of Obiednane, near Makiivka, on March 21, 2021.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5a99c2c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="5a99c2c" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-89ce180" data-id="89ce180" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6767916 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="6767916" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-011-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-011-450x600.jpg 450w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-011-128x170.jpg 128w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-011.jpg 816w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-011-768x1024.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4065 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-011-768x1024.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4065" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-011-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-011-450x600.jpg 450w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-011-128x170.jpg 128w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-011.jpg 816w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b6a5880 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="b6a5880" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cfad1c7" data-id="cfad1c7" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-33ed2e9 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="33ed2e9" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="800" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-012.jpg 600w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-012-450x600.jpg 450w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-012-128x170.jpg 128w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-012.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4066 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="800" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-012.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4066" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-012.jpg 600w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-012-450x600.jpg 450w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-012-128x170.jpg 128w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Aftermath of an earthquake in Makiivka, photos from open sources</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-825ae42 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="825ae42" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5e79088" data-id="5e79088" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-11e6a15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="11e6a15" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>It should be noted that there are 9 mines on the territory of the Makiivka agglomeration, 6 of which have been decommissioned and are in drainage or “wet conservation” mode. Local residents attribute the earthquakes to the shutting down of mines, and they complain of the lack of reaction on the part of local authorities and the deliberate silence surrounding the situation, including in the media.37</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8f13367 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="8f13367" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c6c9fac" data-id="c6c9fac" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4253e21 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="4253e21" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="579" height="253" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-4.png 579w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-4-470x205.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-4-170x74.png 170w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-4.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 579px) 100vw, 579px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4151 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="579" height="253" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-4.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4151" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-4.png 579w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-4-470x205.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-4-170x74.png 170w" sizes="(max-width: 579px) 100vw, 579px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Screenshot from a group page for Makiivka on the social network “Vkontakte”.. Translation: Anonymous request. To the Makiivka City Emergency Administration, which wanted to spit on its citizens! People of Makiivka, how long will it last!? Earthquakes at Obiedinennyi (ed. Sovietskyi district of Makiivka) have become even stronger and more frequent, all of the walls are cracked, dishes and paintings fall down several times a day, the foundations of lots of houses are cracked – and no one cares! Shameful media, no they have no right to call themselves media, disgraceful local TV channels, newspapers, which are only suitable for miners’ lunches, and bought radio channels, which not once in a whole year mentioned the problems at hand, NOT ONCE</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2dd0fdf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2dd0fdf" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7995f52" data-id="7995f52" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-db742d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="db742d1" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The head of the so-called “DPR” reacted to the situation in 2019 by holding several meetings with the heads of the relevant <br />“ministries” and services. A special commission was even set up to study the origin of the underground anomalies, and the work of the “Kalynivska-Skhidna” mine, associated with the unexplained tremors, was suspended.38 However, the conclusions and results of the commission’s work have not been made public, and the shocks and the destruction caused by them still occur periodically.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5b30a84 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="5b30a84" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a2398da" data-id="a2398da" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-87dbb0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="87dbb0f" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Risk of the release and explosion of methane and other gases from mines. A further consequence of mine flooding can be the uncontrolled escape of mine gases at the surface. This includes methane (explosive), carbon monoxide (highly toxic), and radon (radioactive). Radon, in particular, poses a threat to groundwater intakes.39 Methane poses the greatest danger to the region’s residents, as it is difficult to detect due to its lack of odor and color, and its high flammability can provoke explosions and fires <br />in places where it accumulates (basements, underground shelters and wells). At mining facilities, in normal conditions, teams of gas inspectors operate, checking the levels of gas in residential buildings located within the “zone of influence” of mines. However, with the closure of a mine, these inspections are no longer carried out, which increases the risk of explosions and fires in buildings.40 Accumulations of methane in slag heaps leads to a risk of explosions, a risk which increases during hostilities. Due to the high content of hazardous and toxic substances in slag heaps, these explosions can inflict dual damage to the environment, to both the soil and the air.. One of the recorded cases of gas escaping to the surface is that of November 4, 2020. In one of the villages in occupied Horlivka it was reported that the soil was leaking gases and the ground was burning. Local residents believe that the combustion took place as a result of the gas escaping from abandoned and flooded mines. According to residents, this is not the first time that gas has escaped to the surface. Eyewitnesses also complain of suffering from severe headaches after being near the site of the gas leak. Representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the so-called “DPR” have been unable to assist or to explain the situation41.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-40c87fc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="40c87fc" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8da1bf2" data-id="8da1bf2" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ba4162e elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="ba4162e" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-970x728.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-170x128.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-768x576.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014.jpg 1600w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-970x728.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4068 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-970x728.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4068" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-970x728.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-170x128.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-768x576.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-014.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Site of underground gas leak, in Nyzhniy, Horlivka, November 4, 2020. Photo from open sources.</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-56cddc1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="56cddc1" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5fd4793" data-id="5fd4793" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-00d04e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="00d04e1" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Risk of runoff of hazardous substances from waste heaps to groundwater and surface water. Given that slag (waste) heaps <br />are an essential feature of mines, in the case of the cessation of operations, waste heaps must be extinguished and repurposed. Since a large volume of combustible materials remains in these heaps, they can smolder for decades. The Research Institute of Mountain-Rescue and Fire Safety reports that slag heaps in the Donetsk area alone emit 120 kilotons of pollutants per year, containing monoxide and carbon monoxide, sulfur oxide and other toxic substances.42 Proper reclamation will, firstly, prevent the occurrence of explosions and fires, and the consequential release of the products of combustion into the atmosphere, and secondly, prevent the leaching of toxic substances from waste heaps and their contamination of soils and water. <br />Risk of soil contamination. If mine water enters soil as a result of flooding or direct runoff into such terrain, the chemical composition of the soil is altered, increasing its salinity, contributing to its deterioration and the waterlogging of the surface.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a92f784 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a92f784" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-05243e8" data-id="05243e8" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-080e7f4 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="080e7f4" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="449" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-970x545.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-470x264.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-170x96.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-768x432.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-970x545.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4069 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="449" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-970x545.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4069" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-970x545.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-470x264.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-170x96.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-768x432.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-015-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Waste heaps of the “Tsentralna” mine (Toretsk), with sulfur lakes at their base. Photo by Truth Hounds, April 9, 2021</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ec16389 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="ec16389" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-77a857a" data-id="77a857a" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-17dab71 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="17dab71" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Risk of radioactive and chemical contamination associated with mine flooding in Donbas.<br>Radioactive contamination. No issue in the context of risks and threats to the environment in the conflict zone in eastern <br>Ukraine has caused such alarm as the high probability of radioactive contamination. The issue centers around the “Yunyi Komunar” (“Yunkom”) mine, which is located near Yenakiieve in the non-government-controlled area. At a depth of 937 meters in the mine well, there is the so-called “Klivazh” facility, which is a capsule which was formed by a controlled underground atomic explosion that took place in the mine in 1979. During the explosion, a capsule with walls that melted into glass was formed, in which water accumulated along with radioactive strontium, cesium and other elements. The explosion was experimental, and the “Yunkom” mine was one of most saturated with harmful gasses in the entire former USSR. Thus, according to physicists, the explosion would cause the pressure in the hillsides to decrease, and the overall safety of production to increase. <br>According to official data, there were background levels of radiation in the mine facilities and the mine water for the observation <br>period of 1979-2000. However, at the epicenter of the explosion, the radiation level is extremely high: 60 curies (due to highly radioactive plutonium-239 and americium-241).43 The mine was operational until 2002, after which it was closed in the “dry conservation” mode with permanent drainage systems. Yet in April 2018, the authorities of the so-called “DPR” decided to stop pumping water from the mine. Thus, there is a risk of the glass capsule being destroyed, and the leaking of highly hazardous radioactive elements into surface waters. The rate of flooding of the mine is rather high: just two months after water pumping ceased, the level of mine water in the shaft of the mine increased by 157 meters.44 Consequently, the region may become <br>the site of an ecological disaster in the near future. As highlighted by International Human Rights Community, as of March 1, 2020, there is confirmed data on the complete flooding of the “Klivazh” facility. The total concentration of radionuclides in the aquifers of the surrounding area, from a post at a distance of 5km from the site, was 20-34*103 Bq/kg. This means that low level radioactive waters are already entering the drinking water level.45 As before, the situation is significantly complicated by the fact that at present, there is no information on the increase in background radiation in the area surrounding the mine or <br>in the Bulavin, Krynka and Mius Rivers, which flow nearby. The only sources of information are the representatives of the so-called “DPR”, who deny any changes in background radiation levels and the risks associated with the flooding of “Klivazh”. All attempts by the Ukrainian side to gain direct access to the site for data collection purposes, at least for representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency to independently assess the situation, are met with an outright refusal. Despite the fact that, in the event of radiation entering the aforementioned rivers and subsequently the Siverskyi-Donets, the radioactive damage will spread not only in Ukrainian lands but also in the southern part of the Rostov region of the RF,46 officials of the so-called “DPR” continue to block any external intervention in the situation.<br>More positively, Ukraine is attempting to use its leverage to influence the situation. Thus, after the flooding of the “Yunkom” mine, the Donetsk Region Prosecutor’s Office entered information into the Unified Register of Pre Trial Investigations on the grounds of a crime under Art. 441 (ecocide) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. In a publication on its website from May 23, 2018, the following is noted: “It has been established that in April of this year, representatives of the so-called “DPR” took and announced the decision to cease water pumping from the “Yunkom” mine, located in the temporarily occupied territory, in the village of Bunhe (formerly Yunokomunarsk)”. According to the press office of the Prosecutor’s Office, “the occupying forces of the “DPR”, controlled by the Russian aggressor, understand that these actions could cause an ecological disaster, consisting of the radioactive and chemical contamination of groundwater and surface water and, in turn, the pollution of the Sea of Azov”.47</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-db2a96d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="db2a96d" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ab3a861" data-id="ab3a861" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-913b39c elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="913b39c" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="203" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-017.png 844w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-017-470x119.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-017-170x43.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-017-768x195.png 768w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-017.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4071 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="203" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-017.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4071" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-017.png 844w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-017-470x119.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-017-170x43.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-017-768x195.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Panorama of the “Yunkom” mine, photo from open sources</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eb0d830 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="eb0d830" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5dc0399" data-id="5dc0399" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0fbd6f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="0fbd6f7" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Chemical pollution. Mine “No.2-bis” is located in occupied Horlivka, and used to form part of the Mykytivskyi Mercury Plant. It was formerly used as a sedimentation tank for production. After the plant ceased operations, the mine was closed in “dry conservation”. The depth of the mine is approximately 450 meters, and the watercourse of the “Siverskyi Donets Donbas” channel runs directly above it. This creates an additional danger, because in the event of an accident in the mine, mercury can <br />leak not only into the surrounding environment, but also into drinking water, which would lead to an environmental and humanitarian disaster throughout the region. In 2018 information about the flooding of the mercury mine appeared. This can lead to the “collapse” of the infrastructure, forcing out water along with mercury, and can also lead to the destruction of the concrete channel of the water supply.48 As in other cases, information on the level of flflooding in the mine at present is, unfortunately, lacking. The possibility of the territory of abandoned facilities being used for the storage of hazardous waste from the Russian Federation is also a cause for concern. 49</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c912a04 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="c912a04" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c6fe4b8" data-id="c6fe4b8" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ae871b4 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="ae871b4" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="663" height="649" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-016.jpg 663w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-016-470x460.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-016-170x166.jpg 170w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-016.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4070 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="663" height="649" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-016.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4070" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-016.jpg 663w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-016-470x460.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-016-170x166.jpg 170w" sizes="(max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Screenshot of a post by Dmitry Tymchuk on Facebook, November 7, 2018 Translation: Regarding the “mercury bomb” and the disposal of radioactive waste by Russians in the “DPR”. So, in April 2017 residents of Horlivka living in the village of Besarabka, witnessed the presence of “military personnel in chemical protection equipment with radiation hazard signs” on the territory of the Nikitovsky Mercury Plant. In particular, according to the Information Resistance group, on 24.04.2017 several Kamaz with the following numberplates arrived in the territory of the abandoned Nikitovsky Mercury Plant, from the side of the abandoned village of Rtutnyi: - DK 42-03 - DK 41-10 - DK 43-08</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e2fbaf9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="e2fbaf9" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-15ab5f6" data-id="15ab5f6" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f08f8c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="f08f8c0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The “Oleksandr-Zakhid” mine is also located in the territory of occupied Horlivka. At various times, highly toxic waste from the industrial site (sedimentation tank) of the Horlivka Chemical Plant (Styrol) entered the bore. These chemicals included ammonia, mononitrochlorobenzene (also known as “blood poison” for its ability to affect human blood), and other substances <br />which, when they reacted with mine radon, often caused serious injuries to and the deaths of miners. In relation to the mine’s situation, the Republican Academic Institute of Mining Geology, Geomechanics, Geophysics and Mine Surveying (RANIMI), has noted that modern measurements of surface contamination have shown that the area of contamination was very small, as everything went 450 meters50 down. However, there is little cause for celebration: since there is no drainage in the mine, it, like <br />all of the others, is gradually filling with water, which transfers its toxic contents into the surface water level and soils.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-955c7a1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="955c7a1" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d6c0011" data-id="d6c0011" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-620dca4 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="620dca4" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Conclusions:</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-131c23c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="131c23c" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b3bf606" data-id="b3bf606" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ce7f9ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="ce7f9ad" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The military conflict and the related hostilities and occupying regime are a decisive factor in the negative impact on the state of <br />coal mines in eastern Ukraine. Firstly, this is due to the unplanned shutdown of many mining companies, resulting in the abandoned mines lacking control over water levels, rates of soil subsidence and control of gas levels in the areas adjacent to the mines and other environmentally hazardous processes. The situation is complicated by the lack of access to some facilities due to the location of AFU positions or these facilities being located in occupied territories. The lack of sufficient information on non-government-controlled mines makes it impossible to influence processes which potentially pose a threat to the environment. All of these factors combined create a number of risks of trans-national emergencies for the region’s (and not only Ukraine’s) natural environment. Some of these risks require immediate intervention in order to avoid a full-scale ecological disaster.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6133de5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="6133de5" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0b87cb9" data-id="0b87cb9" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-dbd0d16 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="dbd0d16" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="501" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018-970x607.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018-470x294.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018-170x106.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018-768x481.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018.jpg 1024w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018-970x607.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4072 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="501" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018-970x607.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4072" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018-970x607.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018-470x294.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018-170x106.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018-768x481.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-018.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Example of mine restructuring: “From 2013 to 2021”, “Artema” mine, Toretsk</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-42d072b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="42d072b" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-43595a8" data-id="43595a8" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ff922df elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="ff922df" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="449" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-970x545.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-470x264.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-170x96.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-768x432.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-970x545.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4073 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="449" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-970x545.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4073" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-970x545.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-470x264.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-170x96.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-768x432.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-019-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2a0b774 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2a0b774" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5748629" data-id="5748629" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-64173c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="64173c3" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-463e738 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="463e738" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bc1f6a2" data-id="bc1f6a2" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-331c1f9 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="331c1f9" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">7. Impact of the military conflict on water supply, the sewage system, the electricity supply, and related risks to the environment</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2dd6ec1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2dd6ec1" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b668283" data-id="b668283" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-111ad11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="111ad11" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Through the course of the hostilities, water, gas and electricity infrastructure has been constantly damaged due to the density of <br />their networks and their proximity to the line of delimitation. At times, this infrastructure becomes a target for shelling, as they are used by the military in order to set up firing points or for the placement of military units. Direct impact and consequential damage or destruction of these sites poses the following ecological threats:<br />Emissions of liquid chlorine, causing air pollution;<br />The release of sewage and untreated industrial waters into reservoirs and rivers;<br />Ceasing of operations of metallurgical, coal and chemical industries owing to a lack of power.<br />Water.<br />As in many analogous cases, water infrastructure facilities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions are located in both the government-controlled and temporarily occupied territories, and some are in the socalled gray zone. This makes it impossible to <br />monitor their condition in order to take measures to prevent emergencies, and in the event that such situations arise, it makes it impossible to quickly locate and eliminate the risk. The presence of active hostilities significantly increased the probability of accidents. Of particular concern is liquid chlorine, which is used for water purification. It is stored under pressure in tanks at filtration stations such as “Donetska”, “Verkhnokalmiuska”, “Starokrymska No. 1, 2”, “Horlivska No. 1, 2”, as well as “Zakhidniy Filtruvalniy Stantsii” and “Popasnianskiy Raioniy Vodokanal” MOC. Experts warn that the uncontrolled release of liquid chlorine into the atmosphere is possible, due to damage to the pressurized containers in which it is stored. This would lead to environmental pollution and human poisoning. <br />It should be noted that on interaction with oxygen, one kilogram of liquid chlorine is converted into 315 liters of gaseous chlorine, which is quickly carried away by the wind.Moreover, in the event of a chlorine leakage, the consequential disruption of the water treatment process would leave 3 million people without drinking water. This would considerably complicate the humanitarian and sanitary epidemiological situation in the region, and would create preconditions for the deterioration of the socio-economic situation of the region.53 The high level of vulnerability of the water supply and the sewage systems in the frontline zone is evidenced by the fact that in the period from July 2014 to the end of December 2016, 188 incidents related to military actions which had negative consequences for the functioning of “Kompaniia Voda Donbasu” MOC, including relating to environmental damage, were recorded by humanitarian monitoring organizations (data sources: UNICEF, WASH Cluster, INSO, Krasnoarmiyske Regional Production Department of “Donbas Water Company” MOC). <br />Therefore, as a result of shelling by the so-called “DPR” in February 2017, the facilities of the filtration station suffered significant damage, including to the chlorine tank. On November 5, 2017, the Verkhnokalmiuska filtration station, which provides drinking water for 800,000 people and stores 100 tons of chlorine gas, was also damaged by numerous shells.54 In the view of experts, the possible release of toxic gases and the destruction of water supply facilities would have catastrophic consequences for the <br />settlements in Donetsk, Makiivka and Avdiika.55 Truth Hounds documenters have established the fact of the repeated and, based on the circumstances of the incidents, targeted shelling of the pumping station of “Popasnianskyi Raionniy Vodokanal” MOC, located near the village of Zolote-2 in the Luhansk region. These shellings occurred repeatedly between 2015 and 2017 and were carried out from the side of the non-government-controlled village of Mykhailivka.56 Due to the shelling, the technical <br />buildings of the facility were damaged. Since the tanks of the plant’s technical facilities contained an aqueous solution of chlorine, which is used to disinfect water, damage to these tanks could cause chlorine to leak into drinking water and the environment.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-be27335 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="be27335" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-88ee050" data-id="88ee050" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f1618f8 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="f1618f8" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="734" height="1024" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-734x1024.jpg 734w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-430x600.jpg 430w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-122x170.jpg 122w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-768x1071.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-1101x1536.jpg 1101w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-1469x2048.jpg 1469w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-scaled.jpg 1836w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-734x1024.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4074 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="734" height="1024" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-734x1024.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4074" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-734x1024.jpg 734w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-430x600.jpg 430w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-122x170.jpg 122w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-768x1071.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-1101x1536.jpg 1101w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-1469x2048.jpg 1469w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-020-scaled.jpg 1836w" sizes="(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e4f4ea1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="e4f4ea1" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5136dd5" data-id="5136dd5" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-133c834 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="133c834" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="449" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-970x545.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-470x264.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-170x96.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-768x432.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-970x545.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4075 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="449" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-970x545.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4075" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-970x545.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-470x264.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-170x96.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-768x432.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-021-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Aftermath of the shelling of the “Hirska” pumping station in February 2017. Photos by Truth Hounds, February 2017</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f6fd9ab elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="f6fd9ab" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-846634b" data-id="846634b" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-193c4cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="193c4cd" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The last recorded shelling of a water supply facility took place on April 6, 2021, resulting in the loss of power to the pumping station of the first elevation of the “Pivdennodonbaska” water supply, located in the “gray zone” between the villages of Vasylivka and Kruta Balka. More than 250,000 people from the Volnovaskyi and Pokrovskyi areas of the Donetsk region were left without water.57 In some cases, these incidents occur due to the proximity of the sites to military positions, which legitimizes targeting the infrastructure as a military target. This poses a risk not only directly to the site’s equipment and personnel, but also poses a much wider threat. For example, in the case of the “Donetska” filtration station, which provides drinking water to the cities of Avdiivka and Yasnuvata (non-governmentcontrolled territory), positions of the AFU are found at a distance of 170 meters, and positions of the so-called “DPR” are at a distance of 300-400 meters. This is a very small distance, which poses a threat to the station’s operations. As the Special Representative of the OSCO in the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Martin Sajdik, stated, “a direct or near hit of only one of the 900 kg bottles of highly toxic chlorine gas stored at the Filtration Station for water <br />treatment could kill people within a 200 m radius, including the staff of the facility, and seriously disrupt the supply of water to almost 350,000 people on both the sides of the line of contact.”58 As well as that, according to the press service of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade of the AFU, representatives of the socalled “DPR” armed forces set up positions and firing points precisely at the pumping station southeast of the village of Shumy in the Donetsk region.59 The communication emphasizes that facilities such as a pumping situation cannot be used as military sites, and that doing so violates international humanitarian law. Nevertheless, despite the facility’s status and the likelihood of the environmental and humanitarian situation being worsened due to damage to the station’s technical facilities in the event of impact, the so-called “DPR” military not only set up a position there, but also conduct constant targeted fire from it, provoking retaliatory fire and endangering the environment and human health.60</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cd165b4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="cd165b4" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-03839e9" data-id="03839e9" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f6801e7 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="f6801e7" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="455" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022-970x552.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022-470x268.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022-170x97.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022-768x437.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022.png 1270w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022-970x552.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4076 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="455" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022-970x552.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4076" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022-970x552.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022-470x268.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022-170x97.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022-768x437.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-022.png 1270w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Satellite image of the pumping station near the village of Shumy. Trenches nearby are clearly visible, which are likely to be fortifications of illegal armed groups</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4f9ffbc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="4f9ffbc" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8d794d3" data-id="8d794d3" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-869fe28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="869fe28" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The situation in regard to the condition of sewage treatment plants which are (or were) at a dangerous distance to the line of delimitation, is hazardous. Their condition threatens to pollute the natural environment with untreated wastewater, and to provoke a deterioration in the sanitary and epidemiological situation for the population. For example, sewage collection buildings near the “Maiorske” checkpoint have been abandoned and have not functioned properly since 2014. As a result, sewage masses flow directly into the “Pesky-2” reservoir, and from a natural ravine, fall on the fields. Truth Hounds documenters <br />found a box of military ammunition, as well as cartridge cases from 7.62 AKM ammunition and the cover of a military identity card on the territory of the abandoned collection site. They also documented traces of shelling with unidentified weapons on the building from the side of non-government-controlled Horlivka. All of this indicates that military personnel have been present on the facility’s territory, turning the sewage treatment plant into a legal military target and could cause damage to them.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a131a78 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a131a78" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0d08734" data-id="0d08734" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e6766a9 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="e6766a9" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-970x727.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-470x352.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-170x127.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-768x576.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-970x727.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4077 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-970x727.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4077" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-970x727.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-470x352.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-170x127.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-768x576.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-023-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Sewage leakage from a collection site near the “Maiorske” checkpoint in November 2019. Photo by Truth Hounds</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-90a688e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="90a688e" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4d6a619" data-id="4d6a619" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4f42252 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="4f42252" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Two dams on the Luhansk River, which flows near to the villages of Verkhnia Vilkhova and Nyzhnia Vilkhova, were also damaged by shelling.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7dad434 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="7dad434" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9c744bf" data-id="9c744bf" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f3201c8 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="f3201c8" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="574" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-970x696.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-470x337.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-170x122.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-768x551.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-1536x1102.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-2048x1469.jpg 2048w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-970x696.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4079 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="574" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-970x696.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4079" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-970x696.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-470x337.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-170x122.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-768x551.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-1536x1102.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-025-2048x1469.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Destroyed dam near the village of Nyzhnia Vilkhova, photo by Truth Hounds, 2019</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aa65bb9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="aa65bb9" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-048db1c" data-id="048db1c" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6611d99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="6611d99" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>According to an eyewitness, shells hit the barricades in the summer of 2014 and winter of 2015, which created a flooding risk for <br />residential buildings. Truth Hounds documenters visited two damaged dams in November 2019 and verified that this threat still existed, because floor holes had not been fully repaired. The place where an artillery shell hit one of the earth dams was filled with bags of earth, which are almost at the water level and seep into the water. <br />Downstream, below the dam, there is a pool of water, the area around which is densely built up with the houses of the residents of Vilkhova. In the event of a dam breach, several dozen households will be flooded. According to an eyewitness, shells hit the barricades in the summer of 2014 and winter of 2015, which created a flooding risk for residential buildings.61</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-deb42ec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="deb42ec" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-78e832d" data-id="78e832d" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2b59771 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="2b59771" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-970x728.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-170x128.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-768x576.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-970x728.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4078 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-970x728.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4078" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-970x728.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-170x128.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-768x576.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-024-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">A hole in a dam near the village of Verkhnia Vilkhova, photo by Truth Hounds, November 2019</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0b34375 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="0b34375" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1e92430" data-id="1e92430" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-03708a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="03708a2" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Truth Hounds documenters visited two damaged dams in November 2019 and verified that this threat <br />still existed, because floor holes had not been fully repaired. The place where an artillery shell hit one of the earth dams was filled with bags of earth, which are almost at the water level and seep into the water. Downstream, below the dam, there is a pool of water, the area around which is densely built up with the houses of the residents of Vilkhova. In the event of a dam breach, several dozen households will be flooded.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-763aabe elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="763aabe" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2280e1a" data-id="2280e1a" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-078d28a elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="078d28a" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-450x600.jpg 450w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-128x170.jpg 128w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-scaled.jpg 1920w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-768x1024.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4080 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-768x1024.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4080" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-450x600.jpg 450w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-128x170.jpg 128w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-026-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">A shell from a BM-21 “Grad”, which destroyed the earth dam near the village of Nyzhnia Vilkhova in February 2015. Photo by Truth Hounds, November 2019</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-578157c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="578157c" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-58c49da" data-id="58c49da" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-5f903aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="5f903aa" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>In June 2017, damage to the buildings of the water treatment facilities of Dokuchaievsk in the Donetsk region led to the treatment and decontamination of the city’s sewage being halted, and caused environmental pollution.62 As a result, the city went as far as to impose a state of emergency.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1562ca2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="1562ca2" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6a15dd7" data-id="6a15dd7" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0bc2d6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="0bc2d6e" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><b>Electricity.</b></p><p>Power lines are very vulnerable to attack due to the open nature of the locations where hostilities are taking place, and their high density. Since the beginning of the military conflict, high-voltage power lines near to the front line have repeatedly been damaged, resulting in power outages in residential areas, industrial plants and infrastructure facilities. <br />For example, power lines near to the non government-controlled areas of Makiivka and Yasynuvata provide power to Avdiivka and, importantly, to the Avdiivskyi Coke Plant and the DFS. These sites are forced to cease operations when the electricity or water supply is cut off. <br />This was the case, for instance, on January 30, 2017, when the cable supplying power to the two aforementioned companies was cut off as a result of shelling from the so-called “DPR” forces.63 As a result, they immediately lost power and had to begin emergency conservation processes for hazardous materials. In addition, all residents of the city of at least 30,000 were left without water, heating and electrical light in the severe cold of winter. Furthermore, coal mining companies being disconnected from the power supply owing to damage from shelling has led to the shutdown of mine drainage systems and, in some cases, to the complete flooding of mines. As a result of constant power outages due to shelling, the drainage was stopped at the “Rodina”, “Pervomaiska” and “Holubovska” mines (Zolote-5 village, non-government-controlled territory). This caused a man-made accident of groundwater breaking through at the “Zolote” mine, putting large residential areas and lands at threat of flooding64.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-564674d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="564674d" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b8b52bb" data-id="b8b52bb" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-fe46122 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="fe46122" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><b>Special industrial infrastructure facilities.</b><br />The Toliatti – Horlivka – Odesa ammonia pipeline poses a potential threat to the environment and to human life. This is a unique <br />object of the chemical complex’s transport infrastructure, which is part of the main ammonia pipeline from the city Toliatti (RF) to the city of Yuzhne (Odesa region, Ukraine). The ammonia pipeline passes through the territory of 8 regions of Ukraine, including Donetsk. The branch from the main pipe to the “Stirol” plan is called the Horlivka section, and it runs through the occupied territories. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the facility is bordering on safe operation. Despite <br />the availability of automatic control systems, the risk of emergencies remains high. Since the ammonia pipeline is in close proximity to the conflict zone, there is a risk of damage from military action or sabotage.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6323d6d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="6323d6d" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-92860e9" data-id="92860e9" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0a19fdf elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="0a19fdf" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-970x728.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-170x128.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-768x576.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-970x728.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4081 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-970x728.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4081" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-970x728.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-170x128.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-768x576.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-027-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Open section of the “Toliatti-Odesa” ammonia pipeline in the Donetsk region near the “Maiorske” EEC. Photo by Truth Hounds, November 2019</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7ce9317 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="7ce9317" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b9be81e" data-id="b9be81e" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-af9980d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="af9980d" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The State Emergency Service of Ukraine estimates that between 200 and 15,000 people may be in the affected area.65 Thanks to an eyewitness, Truth Hounds documenters recorded the circumstances of the damage to the ammonia pipeline owing to the shelling that took place before the war near the village of Oleksandro-Kalynove. According to the eyewitness, the ammonia pipeline, which runs 1km from the center of the village, was damaged, and a small hole was made in the pipe. Although the pipeline was not at a high pressure at the time, vegetation died at the site of the ammonia leak, and people nearby fell ill.66 It should be noted that at present, the movement of ammonia through the pipe passing through non-government-controlled territory is completely blocked. According to the acting Director of the “Ukrkhimtransamiak” SOC, Valentyna Shlikhta, part of the ammonia pipeline in the non-government-controlled territories is completely free of ammonia and it does not pose any threat.67</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-30aa44c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="30aa44c" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2e9068c" data-id="2e9068c" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-164b861 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="164b861" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">8. Risks to the environment from the shelling of industrial sites</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3141fd1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="3141fd1" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0e5555a" data-id="0e5555a" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-455752f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="455752f" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>A principal danger in the context of the conflict relates to the possibility of environmental pollution in the event of serious incidents and accidents at industrial sites and other enterprises in the region. Prior to the conflict, approximately 4,500 potentially dangerous facilities were located in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.68 During the conflict, many industrial and agricultural facilities in the region which have the status of environmentally hazardous industries were damaged or were on the verge of a major accident. These include the Yasynivskyi, Avdiivskyi and Yenakiivskyi coke plants, the Yenakiivskyi, Makiivskyi and Donetskyi metallurgical plants, the Toretsky Ferroalloy Plant, the Alchevskyi Metallurgical Plant, the Lysychanskyi Oil Refinery, the Donetsk State Chemical Plant, the Sievierodonetskyi “Azot” plant and the Horlivka “Styrol”, Sloviansk, Luhansk, Vuhlehirsk and Mironivskyi thermal power plants. The OSCE estimates that between 2014 and 2017, more than 500 cases of violations of protocols and emergencies were recorded at plants in the region,69 some of which posed potential danger to the population and environment. An ecological threat is also posed by tailings ponds, gold and sludge accumulators, and liquid industrial waste storage sites, such as slag and waste heaps, and raw material warehouses located on the territories of enterprises. Out of all the industrial sites in the region, the Avdiivska Coke Plant has suffered the most damage. It has been reported that between 2015 and 2017, the plant ceased operations 13 times, more than 320 shells exploded on its territory, nine workers were killed, and more than 50 people were injured. On February 10, 2015 the Avdiivka Coke Plant caught fire as a result <br />of shelling. Three teams from the Ministry of Emergency Situations were extinguishing the fire for more than five hours. The intensity of the shelling and the constant power outages led to the Avdiivka Coke Plant being placed in a nonoperational state of conservation. The situation changed only in May 2017, when the Avdiivka Coke Plant was connected to alternative, new high-voltage power lines, which made it possible for all units of the plant to operate. It is also important to mention the attack on the Lysychanskyi Oil Refinery, which occurred in July 2014. A fire broke out on the plant’s territory due to the shelling. According to the then-representative of the Lysychansk City Council, a 50,000-ton oil sludge storage tank, two 20-ton gasoline tanks and a sulfur storage warehouse were set on fire.70 Witnesses also report that a tank was punctured on the plant’s territory, technological equipment caught fire, and there were oil leakages, meaning that it was impossible to extinguish the fire quickly.71<br />The same witnesses claim that representatives of the military of the so-called “DPR” were firing from the plant’s territory, which was occupied the day before. Rescuers were only able to prevent the fire from spreading further, having to allow the flames to subside on their own. At present, there is no information available on the damage caused.<br />In the immediate vicinity of the front line is a phenol plant72 in the village of Novhorodske in the Donetsk region. In July 2017, militants of the so-called “DPR” fired at the sludge storage at the plant,73 as a result of which the dam74 wall was damaged, and landslides occurred. For a long time, representatives of the so-called “DPR” did not give any guarantee of a ceasefire for repairs <br />to be carried out to the dam. This created the threat of sludge masses breaking through, and the toxic liquid contaminating groundwater, and subsequently the Kryvyi Torets River, which could have caused a large-scale environmental disaster. The facility is now undergoing repairs, but the threat of shelling still exists. The Bakhmut Agrarian Union, an agrarian farm property, also frequently suffers shelling. In December 2016, units of the AFU were located in the vicinity of the facility, which is located 2km northwest of the village of Novoluhanske, and before that was in the “gray zone”. Since then, several dozen shells have exploded on the facility’s territory, resulting in casualties among the personnel, and destroying the boundary fence and hitting the mirror of the manure sedimentation tank. Wild boar, which are often carriers of swine flu, can enter the site through the destroyed fence. The base of the sedimentation tank is lined with a waterproofing layer of polyethylene. If debris from the explosion has damaged it, waste products from the pigs will have begun seeping into the soil. It is only possible to conduct an <br />inspection of the sedimentation tank if it is completely emptied of its contents, but it is almost overflowing owing to it being impossible to take manure to the fields. Ploughing at the farm was stopped due to the fighting and landmines. On the topic of industrial facilities located in the non-government-controlled territory, the greatest threat is posed by sites located in and near to the city of Horlivka. Many damaged critical infrastructure facilities are concentrated there, the lack of repair work or the improper operation of which can have catastrophic consequences. These are, Horlivka Coke Plant, Horlivka Chemical Plant, and Mykytivskyi Mercury Plant, among others. All of these plants are sources of a great deal of risk, not only regionally but also trans-nationally. For example, the chemical waste storage facility at the chemical plant is in a critical condition, holding approximately 11.6tons of waste, and it is already contaminating the surrounding soils and water with highly toxic substances. The hostilities caused the mercury plant to cease operations, resulting in mercury pollution from thousands of unused lamps and industrial waste. It is equally important to note another potential source of radioactive pollution, the radioactive waste landfill located near Donetsk. Due to a lack of data and access to the sites for monitoring, Ukraine is unable to fully assess the state of these facilities and the associated ecological risks. At the same time, according to the representatives of the socalled “DPR”, monitoring of these facilities is not even carried out by the occupying regime. In a speech, the “Minister” for the Environment of the self-proclaimed republic, Serhiy Kazakov stated the following: “There is a monitoring problem. It is impossible to take samples and study the condition of an environmentally hazardous object which is under fire. But Horlivka urgently needs to be studied. The question is, how?”75</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9e508e2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="9e508e2" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8121701" data-id="8121701" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e96989e elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="e96989e" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">9. Forest fires resulting from the military conflict</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-07f378d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="07f378d" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8ab178d" data-id="8ab178d" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e73ed4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="e73ed4d" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>As a consequence of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, a large part of forest and plantation forests has been lost: ForestWatch estimates that in 2014 alone, 479 hectares of forest were completely lost in the conflict zone. The greatest risks to plantation forests in eastern Ukraine are forest fires caused by ammunition explosions or arson related to military tactics. <br />In the summer of 2014, the AFU forced out separatist forces from the north of the Luhansk region. As a result of intense fighting, dozens of hectares of forest near the city of Kreminna were burned. Forests near the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region also suffered significant damage from fire. <br />During all of the years of hostilities, the number and scale of forest fires in the region have been significant, and are increasing. <br />However, the most intense fire with the most serious consequences occurred in the Luhansk region in autumn 2020. <br />Fires broke out from September 30 and October 1, 2020, in the ecosystems of the Luhansk region (forests, plantations, steppes), <br />which took a week to extinguish. The fire spread to 20,000 hectares. The fires were located in the Stanychno-Luhansk, Novoaidarsk and Sievierodonetsk areas. 150 people were evacuated during the fires. 19 people were injured due to the fires, and 11 died.76 A total of 32 settlements in these areas were effected. The information available about fires in non-government-controlled territories is fragmentary, unsystematic and is found in large part on social networks or blogs. Fires in the Luhansk region in 2020 were unprecedented. <br />The situation was complicated by hurricane force winds, low humidity even for the steppe climate, as well as their proximity to the line of delimitation. Therefore, together with the abnormal heat caused by global warming, war-induced changes to local ecosystems, and the human factor, the 2020 fires in the region caused massive burning of soils, plantations, and irreparable harm to the population. Truth Hounds documenters visited the areas most affected by the fires, talked to local residents, and recorded the ecological and social damage. The first information about the fires was reported on September 30 on social networks. Official statements appeared on October 5, 2020, on the website of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and on October 9, there appeared information on the complete extinguishment of the fires. During the week of the fires, the most dangerous centers of the fire were those located beyond the line of delimitation, as well as the line of plantations around Sievierodonetsk. On October 1, the fire engulfed the “Stantsia Luhanska” EEC, the only checkpoint across the line of contact in the Luhansk region.77<br />In the non-government-controlled territories, the fires were quite far from the line of delimitation. The information resources of <br />the so-called “LPR” mark the centers of the fires as being in the southern part of the nongovernment-controlled region of Luhansk, as well as two being near Luhansk.78 Personnel of the State Emergency Service of the Luhansk, Donetks, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Poltava regions were deployed to extinguish the fires in the territories controlled by Ukraine, as well as equipment and personnel from the National Police of the Luhansk region, and the AFU. The wind became particularly dangerous, blowing in the direction of Sievierodonetsk: the fires from the villages of Syrotyne, Voronovo, Borivske and Smolianynove were spreading <br />straight in the direction of the “Azot” plant. According to information provided by the leadership of the plant, only dry grasses caught fire on its territory. Nevertheless, local residents claim that the fire engulfed the chlorine plant, the paint warehouse and the outhouses where antiseptics were stored.79 If this is the case, then the air, already polluted by emissions from “Azot”, additionally has a high content of formaldehyde, phenol, hydrogen fluoride, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. However, the National Ecological Council of Ukraine has remained silent on the topic of the consequences of these fires, noting only damage from carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide (products of combustion), as well as the negative impact on the ecosystem. Representatives of the executive branch of government are silent about the causes of the fires. Instead, they were voiced by the military, declaring that the causes were “hostile armed provocations with the use of tracer ammunition”. Their special feature is that they contain an incendiary mixture, meaning that they are often used for arson. The military attributed the fires in areas close to the line of delimitation to the use of these bullets by the enemy: the tracer ammunition ignited the dry areas, causing fire to break out. Arson from the “LPR” side was also reported by the “Return Alive” Foundation (“Povernys zhyvym”), from a video given to them by the Ukrainian military recording it.80 The same version of events is supported by the head of the Stanychno-Luhansk district state administration, Yuriy Zolkin.At the same time, soldiers from the 24th Mechanized Brigade, stationed in Novoluhansk (Donetsk region) additionally reported an arson attempt and their positions.81 The location of <br />the fire – just beyond the line of delimitation – is in favor of the theory of arson by the “LPR”, as is the absence of fires in neighboring areas, controlled by the “LPR”. The existence of landmines along the front line is also relevant here. Landmines only exacerbated the fires which were already being spread by hurricaneforce dry winds. The territory of the Luhansk region is still in <br />the process of recovering from the active phase of the war. Soils and forests sustained serious damage from the hostilities. Soil fertility has fallen by several points since 2014 as a result of the contamination of the land by the products of exploded shells. It takes decades to restore damaged forest plantations and forests. All of this is compounded by global warming which, in Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, is occurring faster than the world average.82<br />The average temperature in eastern Ukraine will increase 1.4 times over the next ten years, and this process has already begun. The scorching summer in the Ukrainian steppe will become even harsher, which will negatively affect not only soil fertility, but also local ecosystems, flora and fauna. The winds which already characterize the steppe of the Luhansk region will only contribute to the spread of forest fires. At the same time, more than half the region’s groundwater is already depleted83.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5e63f8a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="5e63f8a" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ecc459e" data-id="ecc459e" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0bd2ed7 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="0bd2ed7" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="494" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-970x599.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-470x290.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-170x105.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-768x474.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-1536x948.png 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028.png 1600w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-970x599.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4082 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="494" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-970x599.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4082" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-970x599.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-470x290.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-170x105.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-768x474.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028-1536x948.png 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-028.png 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Satellite image of the fires in the Luhansk region, October 2020</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-428fd45 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="428fd45" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-914dd66" data-id="914dd66" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-b93564d elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="b93564d" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="449" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-970x545.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-470x264.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-170x96.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-768x432.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-2048x1151.jpg 2048w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-970x545.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4083 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="449" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-970x545.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4083" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-970x545.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-470x264.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-170x96.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-768x432.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-029-2048x1151.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Aftermath of forest fires in 2020, Sievierodonetsk-Novaidar highway, Luhansk region. Photo by Truth Hounds, May 6, 2021</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-188d8f4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="188d8f4" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fb51756" data-id="fb51756" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1d3f0c0 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="1d3f0c0" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="800" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030-970x970.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030-470x470.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030-170x170.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030-768x768.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030.jpg 1250w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030-970x970.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4084 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="800" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030-970x970.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4084" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030-970x970.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030-470x470.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030-170x170.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030-768x768.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-030.jpg 1250w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Aftermath of forest fires in 2020: Smrotyne, Voronove, Muratove, in Luhansk region. Photos by Truth Hounds, October 2020.</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5b0e5a4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="5b0e5a4" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6b351c7" data-id="6b351c7" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1b53f25 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="1b53f25" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">10. Threats to protected nature, as well as ordinary flora and fauna, from the military conflict</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6c8e601 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="6c8e601" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dab4c19" data-id="dab4c19" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e86240b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="e86240b" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The role of war in ecology also manifests itself in the danger faced by “natural museums”. <br />In the case of Ukraine, the front line has divided the territories of nature reserves, seriously impacting their condition as a whole, including rare species of birds, animals and plants. In total, there are 152 nature reserve sites in the Ukraine-controlled territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. These include the Luhansk Nature Reserve of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; the “Meotyda” and “Sviati Hory” National Parks, the “Kreidova Flora” Reserve, the “Kramatorskyi”, “Donetskyi Kriazh”, <br />“Kleban-Byk”, “Zuivskyi” and “Slovianskyi Kurort” regional landscape parks, among others. In the temporarily occupied territories in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, there are 106 territories and objects of national and local importance which are part of the Nature Reserve Fund. <br />This includes the “Provalskyi Steppe” part of the Luhansk Nature Reserve, part of the “Meotyda” National Park, the “Donetskyi <br />Kriazh” Landscape Park, the “Khomutovskyi Steppe”, the “Kalmiuske” Reserve of the USNR, the “Rozdilnianskyi” Reserve, the “Zuievskyi” Regional Landscape Park, and the “Kryvokoskyi Estuary” Wetlands of International Importance. <br />All forestry land along the line of delimitation has also been damaged by the war.84 Although the military conflict is a threat to <br />all nature, local flora and fauna are specially protected in isolated nature reserves, and special attention is paid to the preservation of the local species found in the Red Book of Ukraine (rare and endangered species), as well as precautionary measures against their extinction from the region. These places are essentially museums of the natural history of the region. Direct military intervention on the territory of these reserves will not only destroy these sites, but will also have a serious impact <br />on the further development of the region’s nature.<br />Thus, representatives of the “Trokhizbenskyi Steppe” branch of the Luhansk Nature Reserve have stated that, despite the fact that the territory was shelled in 2015, it still does not have a certificate that its territory is de-mined. In addition, the “Trokhizbenskyi Steppe” became a location at which self-propelled artillery units were based in 2014 and 2015, positions of the <br />AFU were dug there, and reserve employees could not get there. At present, operations remain suspended at the reserve, due to the fact that is occasionally used as a site for military exercises of the AFU. Employees of the nature reserve complain that due to landmines, it is impossible to carry out land reclamation.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6e50cae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="6e50cae" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1ee2bbb" data-id="1ee2bbb" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-36ae088 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="36ae088" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-970x728.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-170x128.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-768x576.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-970x728.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4085 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-970x728.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4085" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-970x728.jpg 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-470x353.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-170x128.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-768x576.jpg 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/th-report-eco-pic-032-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text">Targets left after the shootings on the territory of the «Trokhizbenskyi Steppe» reserve, photo by Truth Hounds</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2e6bfdc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2e6bfdc" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-96e6058" data-id="96e6058" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c0455cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="c0455cf" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The “Kreidova Flora” Nature Reserve came under fire in 2014 and 2015. Craters still remain at the sites of numerous hits, and <br />trenches have been preserved. The reserve has now been de-mined, and it is in working order, with the natural environment starting to return to its former state. However, the condition of the soil after the shelling is still in question. The documenters sampled the soil from several craters to analyze its chemical composition. The results of the analyses reveal the presence of heavy metals, as well as an acute excess of the maximum allowable concentration of some of them,85 and a high level of sulfate salinity (see table below). For some heavy metals, such as titanium, there is not even any set maximum allowable concentration, as they should not be present in soil at all under normal conditions. It is worth noting that titanium-based alloys with vanadium additives are used in aviation and missile technology.86</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b13752e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="b13752e" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c8ee310" data-id="c8ee310" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-818575f elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="818575f" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"bounceInUp"}" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="172" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243-970x209.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243-470x101.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243-170x37.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243-768x165.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243.png 1003w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243-970x209.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4528 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="172" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243-970x209.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4528" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243-970x209.png 970w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243-470x101.png 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243-170x37.png 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243-768x165.png 768w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/th-table03243.png 1003w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ce25279 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="ce25279" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2ae58c6" data-id="2ae58c6" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4971275 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="4971275" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>It is important to add that during the documentation work, we often heard from witnesses that the soil in the gardens or orchards is damaged from being hit by shells, which affects the quality of crops.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2e06666 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2e06666" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-82a8265" data-id="82a8265" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-a8e04a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="a8e04a0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><em>“After shelling, the soil is dead. After the </em><em>projectile in the winter, all of the vegetables </em><em>had to be thrown away in the summer. The </em><br /><em>apricots were small and wrinkled.”</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e3be120 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="e3be120" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-136bc12" data-id="136bc12" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-3f30c39 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="3f30c39" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>The case of the “Meotyda” National Park, located on the Bilosaraiskyi Spit on the Sea of Azov, is also of note. Part of the park, “Kryva Kosa”, where the park administration was located before the conflict, is now an area controlled by the so-called “DPR”. The seizure and looting of the park administration by armed members of the so-called “DPR”, and the later deployment of military equipment (including the “fleet” of the so-called “DPR”) and carrying out of military exercises, as well as unregulated fishing and hunting in the area, has had a very negative impact on the region’s bird population. Truth Hounds documenters discovered that as a result of these actions, the Sandwich tern population has decreased tenfold (from 50,000 to 5,000), and the only colony of the Dalmatian pelican on the coast has disappeared altogether.87 In regard to the territory of the park controlled <br />by the Ukrainian government, the number of visitors, including poachers, has decreased significantly due to the presence of the military and the establishment of a zone of enhanced border protection. This has contributed to the increased reproductive rates of many bird species, as well as animals including wolves, jackals, foxes, moose and boars. Park officials have reported new bird colonies appearing on the coast, as they had been forced to leave the park due to the adverse conditions.88 Of course, military actions have a negative impact on the flora and fauna of not only of protected areas, but also of the entire region. Evidence suggests that if, for instance, there is increased background sound from explosions and shooting, this negatively affects the natural balance. This changes the usual patterns of animal behavior. City dwellers report the appearance of wild animals and birds in their residential areas.89 This poses a danger not only to the development of the fauna but also to the safety of local residents. Deforestation of forests and forest belts has caused the migration of birds and animals, and this has significantly intensified since the beginning of the conflict. On the other hand, the moratorium on hunting which was imposed at the beginning of the military conflict has led to a significant increase in wild animal and bird populations, such as pheasants, partridges, hares, roe deer and wild boar.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e7cbdda elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="e7cbdda" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-709a3ba" data-id="709a3ba" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ce6d22b elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="ce6d22b" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">11.How can war crimes against the environment be qualified under Art. 438 of the CCU?</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8fa1303 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="8fa1303" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-501faf0" data-id="501faf0" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-176a159 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="176a159" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>ЗGiven that until recently, Ukrainian law enforcement officers did not practice applying Art. 438 of the Criminal Code, an illegal act as specific as a war crime against the environment will raise many questions when being qualified. An analysis of international agreements that can be used for qualification under Art. 438 of the CCU provides a fairly wide range of qualifying features, the approach to the choice of which should take into account the particularities of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, which is by nature atypical and shows signs of hybridity. Focusing on the Rome Statute unfortunately narrows the possibility of criminalizing acts which cause (or may cause) harm to the environment. This is in particular due to the active component of the material element of the crime, defined by the form of an attack on an object or other acts of violence against it. <br />In addition, there is a mandatory requirement to prove the obvious disproportionality of the damage to the expected military advantage. <br />The damage must also be widespread, long-term and serious. We recall that the specification or quantitative indicators of these features are absent, or their definitions very generalized, in IHL. Using the information gathered and analyzed by Truth Hounds, very few incidents have occurred through the course of the conflict which possess all the qualifying elements (including mental and contextual), and may be qualified as war crimes against the environment. Among them, in our opinion, are the shelling of the Avdiivka Coke Plant, which caused repeated serious damage, the shelling of the Lysychansk Oil Refinery, which led to fires lasting several days on its territory, arson of dry landscapes in the Luhansk region, which caused the destruction of forests and <br />fire at the “Azot” plant. However, this is only a preliminary assessment, and a thorough investigation is required, as well as, most <br />importantly, the establishment of the fact that the damage is simultaneously widespread, long-term and serious. The latter can only be determined through comprehensive and longterm monitoring of the environment and the identification of clear causal links. In regard to the other incidents and facts presented in this report, it is doubtful that they can be defined as war crimes as defined by the Rome Statute. The threshold of proof under the Rome Statute is evidently rather high. There is, however, an alternative possibility of determining the qualifying features of a war crime against the environment under Article 438 of the CCU, as the latter refers to various treaties of IHL. These include, in particular, the ENMOD Convention. Based on its position <br />in the process of establishing qualifications for a war crime against the environment, it is necessary to prove not the simultaneous existence of widespread, long-term and serious consequences, but rather the presence of at least one of them. This significantly decreases the evidence requirement of the investigation. One important aspect is attempting to specify the scope of these characteristics of damage. Thus, effects are considered: 1) broad, when they cover a space of several hundred square kilometers; 2) long term, when they last for several months or one season (recalling that in the preamble to AP I, a period of several decades is indicated); 3) serious, when they lead to serious or significant damage to human health, natural and economic resources, and other assets.90 In addition, the material element of the act does not contain an alternative active component (meaning, not limiting the act to a form such as an attack), but is defined as the “military or any other hostile use of environmental modification techniques (…) as the means of destruction, damage or injury to any other State Party”. If military use is more or less evident, then hostile use can be interpreted as “criminally negligent”, and the refusal of external monitoring and evaluation can be regarded as deliberately impacting negatively on natural processes. Furthermore, if we refer to the norm of customary law, which is the prohibition of the use of methods and means of warfare that are aimed at or may harm the environment, then in accordance with the body of customary law of the International Committee of the Red Cross, this rule is absolute (Norm 45). This means that if there is widespread, long-term and serious damage to the environment, or if it is used as <br />a weapon, there is no sense in establishing whether such actions or their results can be justified by military necessity. 91 Also applicable for the qualification of a war crime against the environment is the norm enshrined in Art. 56 of AP I, which prohibits the placement of military facilities near potentially high-risk facilities or structures (dams, dykes, nuclear power plants). Moreover, for the qualification of acts under Art. 438, the provisions of Protocol III on the Prohibition or Restriction on the Use of <br />Incendiary Weapons of 1980 may be used. This document prohibits turning forests or other vegetation into targets of incendiary weapons. Thus, from the above, it can be concluded that actions such as the placing of firing points and positions of the armed forces of the so called “DPR” on the territory of the Lysychanskyi Oil Refinery and pumping station near the village of Shumy, the flooding of mines and the consequential water and river pollution and the salinization of soils, the improper maintenance of chemical industrial facilities causing chemical pollution of the environment, the intentional flooding of a facility of radioactive hazard (at the “Yunkom” mine) where there is a risk of contamination, and, above all, the absolute denial of admission for monitoring purposes to what is likely an emergency situation – and all of this in the context of an international armed conflict – may well constitute a war crime under Art. 438 of the CCU, as a serious violation of IHL. This is, namely, a violation of Art. 35, Art. 53, and Art. 56 of AP I to the Geneva Conventions, as well as the provisions of the ENMOD Convention. However, the missing link in the process of proof should be kept in mind: this is the presence of environmental damage, which is characterized by the severity, duration or broadness (in the sense of prevalence of territories) of its consequences. We emphasize that this relates to alternatives, rather than a combination of them. Due to the lack of specific criteria, careful and comprehensive monitoring of the environment in the region is needed in order to create an evidence base to prove a sufficient level of environmental damage. This should be implemented at least in governmentcontrolled areas. This is because, even if not at the present moment, in the future we can hope for a thorough legal assessment and prosecution of the actions of those who have harmed mankind not only with weapons, but also by turning nature against him.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-93cfb21 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="93cfb21" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-95a9d1b" data-id="95a9d1b" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-8a840b1 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="8a840b1" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">12. International legal liability for environmental damage in the context of military conflict</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-06bd62d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="06bd62d" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8d01fcd" data-id="8d01fcd" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0e6ee90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="0e6ee90" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>As war crimes against the environment are listed as war crimes under the Rome Statute, such cases may be assessed by the <br />International Criminal Court. The jurisdiction of the court extends to individuals accused of committing war crimes. However, given the high threshold of proof required, and the lack of international jurisprudence to investigate this type of crime, it seems unlikely that charges for war crimes against the environment are to be very numerous.<br />Nevertheless, crimes against the environment may constitute the material element of other crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and other war crimes. In the 2009 case of the Prosecutor v. Omar al Bashir, the ICC did not deny the link between environmental degradation and the crime of genocide.92 Article 91 of AP I to the Geneva Conventions emphasizes that a Party which violates the provisions of these conventions or the Protocol must reimburse damages if there are grounds for doing so. This provision therefore provides the basis for the international legal responsibility of states. One of the mechanisms <br />for administering justice in this case is filing a lawsuit against the offending state with the UN International Court of Justice, as with a special international body. A more effective way to resolve disputes, however, may be participation in arbitration and conciliation commissions, or negations, for example. In regard to the mechanisms for prosecution provided for in the ENMOD Convention, it stipulates that any State Party which finds that another State Party is acting in breach of its obligations under the Convention may file a complaint with the UN Security Council. On the basis of such a complaint, the Security Council has the right to initiate an investigation. However, given the Russian Federation’s right of veto as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the mechanisms of bringing the RF to justice seem unpromising. As well as that, it provides for the establishment of an expert advisory committee with the function of conducting a factual investigation of the circumstances of each case.</p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-b7a67c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="b7a67c8" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e042fe8 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle" data-id="e042fe8" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-background-overlay"></div> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8680428" data-id="8680428" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-50d1886 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider" data-id="50d1886" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="divider.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-divider"> <span class="elementor-divider-separator"> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7623d54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="7623d54" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-84efd54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="84efd54" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc8d3ae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="bc8d3ae" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3aff470" data-id="3aff470" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-603a9fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="603a9fc" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Having analyzed and summarized the facts of the whole picture, we can conclude that the constant hostilities and the regime of closed occupation in Donbas has already led to serious environmental damage. <br />The consequences of this will have to be fought against for a long time to come, with the use of a great deal of resources. It can also be stated that the situation is deteriorating and is becoming trans-national in nature. Based on the information provided in the report, Truth Hounds addresses a wide range of participants in the pool of questions covered with the following recommendations: <br />1. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: to ratify the Rome Statute.<br />2. The relevant ministries and State services:<br />– to develop and approve methods for documenting and calculating environmental damage caused by hostilities; <br />– to introduce a modern, centralized network for environmental monitoring, taking into account the particularities of access to <br />facilities and the further use of data obtained on the following types of facilities: a) in areas where hostiles are / were conducted; b) in areas affected by high-risk facilities and sites that are sources of potential man-made emergencies; c) critical <br />infrastructure facilities, in particular water supply facilities for the further use of monitoring data as evidence of environmental <br />damage by representatives of the self-proclaimed republics and the RF, under whose effective control they are;<br />– develop a comprehensive program for the adequate conservation of environmentally hazardous facilities (including in the non-government-controlled territories) and the restoration of the environment.<br />3. Prosecuting bodies and other law enforcement agencies: to use the array of available evidence and, if necessary, to implement the practice of the proper qualification of war crimes against the environment.<br />4. Local authorities: to implement the State program in order to increase the level of preparedness of communities located in the vicinity of the line of delimitation and near high-risk facilities in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions to emergencies of a natural and man-made nature that may occur in these territories as a result of hostilities. </p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">5. The leadership of the AFU: </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">– to organize the withdrawal (in the absence of military </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">necessity) of military positions and points of engagement from </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">infrastructure and industrial facilities, the damage of which may </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">pose a threat to the environment;</span></p><p>– to assess the level of readiness of units of the armed forces located near to critical infrastructure facilities and large <br />industrial facilities to respond to emergencies of a man-made nature. If necessary, to conduct personnel training and provide <br />the necessary logistical support to respond to emergencies </p><p>6. The international community: to increase pressure on the self-proclaimed republics of the so-called “LPR” and “DPR”, as well as the Russian Federation, in order to ensure access to potential environmental hazards located in the temporarily occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, first and foremost so that IAEA representatives may conduct an audit of facilities with high levels of radiation, including by emphasizing that the pollution will be trans-national in nature and will threaten the environment of Russia itself.<br />7. Non-governmental organizations: to continue to actively monitor the environmental situation in the war zone in eastern <br />Ukraine, and to promote the dissemination of full and accurate information on its curren </p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-71f80a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="71f80a5" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-870a1b2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="870a1b2" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e569182" data-id="e569182" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-8a87a5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="8a87a5d" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c0e1592 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="c0e1592" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9311b59" data-id="9311b59" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e91d437 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="e91d437" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dc9dadc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="dc9dadc" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7adceee" data-id="7adceee" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-dce0bcf elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="dce0bcf" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>AFU Armed Forces of Ukraine<br />AKM modernized Kalashnikov automatic rifle<br />AP I Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, <br />and Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed <br />Conflicts (Protocol I), of 8 June 1977<br />AP II Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, <br />and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International <br />Armed Conflicts (Protocol II)<br />ARC Autonomous Republic of Crimea<br />ATO Anti-Terrorist Operation<br />CCU Criminal Code of Ukraine<br />DFS Donetsk Filtration Station<br />So-called “DPR so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic”<br />ECtHR European Court of Human Rights<br />EEC entry-exit checkpoint<br />ENMOD Convention Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use <br />of Environmental Modification Techniques<br />GC I Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the <br />Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (12 August 1949)<br />GC II Geneva Convention (II) for the Amelioration of the Condition of <br />Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea <br />(12 August 1949)<br />GC III Geneva Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of <br />War (12 August 1949)<br />GC IV Geneva Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (12 August 1949)<br />IAG illegal armed group<br />IHL international humanitarian law<br />INSO International NGO Safety Organization<br />JFO Joint Forces Operation<br />So-called “LPR so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic”<br />MCO military-civil administration<br />MOC municipally owned corporation<br />NGO non-governmental organization<br />OSCE Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe<br />PACE Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe<br />RF Russian Federation<br />RPG rocket-propelled grenade launcher<br />RS Rome Statute<br />SOC state-owned corporation<br />UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund<br />USNR Ukrainian Steppe Nature Reserve<br />WASH Cluster international group for matters of sanitization, water supply and <br />hygiene</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9a38246 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="9a38246" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ac78e5d" data-id="ac78e5d" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7b2dca3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="7b2dca3" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-207ec2b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="207ec2b" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3ad7cfc" data-id="3ad7cfc" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-766d22d elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor" data-id="766d22d" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="menu-anchor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <style>/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 26-03-2024 */ body.elementor-page .elementor-widget-menu-anchor{margin-bottom:0}</style> <div id="link" class="elementor-menu-anchor"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-316a206 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="316a206" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9aea639" data-id="9aea639" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f832d4a elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="f832d4a" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Sources</h2> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3615ba9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="3615ba9" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-77dc037" data-id="77dc037" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-dd42fd3 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="dd42fd3" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>1 IV Конвенція про закони і звичаї війни на суходолі та додаток до неї: Положення про закони і звичаї війни на суходолі https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_222#Text<br />2 Конвенція про захист цивільного населення під час війни (укр/рос) https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_154#Text<br />3 Додатковий протокол до Женевських конвенцій від 12 серпня 1949 року, що стосується захисту жертв міжнародних збройних конфліктів (Протокол I), від 8 червня 1977 року (укр/рос) https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_199#Text<br />4 Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques https://2009-2017.state.<br />gov/t/isn/4783.htm<br />5 Кримінальний кодекс України. Закон України https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2341-14/conv#n3040<br />6 Римський статут міжнародного кримінального суду https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_588#Text<br />7 https://truth-hounds.org/reports/<br />8 https://r2p.org.ua/tehnichni-rekomendacziyi-zmenshennya-ryzykiv-shidna-ukrayina/<br />9 Про об’єкти підвищеної небе… | від 18.01.2001 No 2245-III (rada.gov.ua)<br />10 https://deis.menr.gov.ua/?fbclid=IwAR2Xc7zKqXe7vlCiHcfHDbnkOpr4GbE9t4ZFidhE2R46PdyKkcdIRPvvd9Q<br />11 https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/2663741-vugilni-sahti-na-okupovanomu-donbasi-stanovit-serjoznu-tehnogennu-zagrozu-ekspert.html<br />12 https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%91%D0%BE%D1%97_%D0%B7%D0%B0_%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BE%D0%BD_%D1%8<br />8%D0%B0%D1%85%D1%82%D0%B8_%C2%AB%D0%91%D1%83%D1%82%D1%96%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%B0%C2%BB<br />13 https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/28270176.html<br />14 Свідок Е001Т<br />15 https://dpsu.gov.ua/ua/news/Nezakonni-zbroyni-formuvannya-obstrilyuvali-kontrolniy-post-SHahta-Rodina/<br />16 https://news.liga.net/region_news/news/v-okkupirovannom-zorinske-oborudovanie-shahty-rejut-na-lom-i-vyvozyat-v-rf-pravozaschitniki<br />17 https://vchasnoua.com/donbass/57834-video-metall-idet-na-skrepy-boeviki-razvorovyvayut-shakhtu-abakumova-v-donetske<br />18 План дій для ВЦА м. Торецьк по запобіганню або мінімізації ризиків внаслідок закриття шахт. – Торецьк, 2020. – С.28.<br />19 Денна поверхня – поверхня землі, на якій та з якої проводяться вибухові роботи з використанням енергії вибуху, які пов’язані з<br />видобуванням корисних копалин відкритим способом, у будівництві, при проведенні робіт з подрібнення бетонних і залізобетонних<br />конструкцій, у разі обвалення будівель, споруд і комунікацій, у тому числі на свою основу, при руйнуванні ємностей гідропідриванням,<br />при руйнуванні металоконструкцій, при зварюванні вибухом, при штампуванні вибухом, у разі подрібнення криги на водоймах, при<br />корчуванні пнів і звалюванні дерев, під час застосування вибухового плантажу, при підводних роботах, при роботах у глибоких<br />свердловинах тощо (джерело: Міністерство енергетики та вугільної промисловості України, Наказ «Про затвердження Технічних<br />правил ведення вибухових робіт на денній поверхні» від 18.07.2013 N 469). Є кілька поглядів на її глибину та небезпеку досягнення<br />рівня денної поверхні підземними водами. Академік Яковлєв Є.О. стверджує, що критичний рівень підйому води дорівнює -250 метрам<br />(євростандарт), і цього порогу вода йтиме у ґрунти, розмиваючи породу та забруднюючи ґрунтові води. В ДП «Донецькгеологія»<br />дотримуються думки, що критичним порогом підняття підземних вод (а отже, глибиною денної поверхні) є відмітка в -160 м.<br />20 Свідок E002Z<br />21 https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/3/362581_0.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3KllZhLryLFuuV07Hef7t9W5SfmzXDLhHy96ek8p9NA7vorVSBFJJm8zI<br />22 Зведений аналіз впливу вугільних підприємств ДП «Первомайськвугілля» на навколишнє природнє середовище. – Київ, 2020. – С. 8.<br />23 https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0452-10#Text<br />24 Тут: характер зміни ґрунту навколо свердловини при усталеному притоку підземних вод до неї, що має форму лійки<br />25 План дій для ВЦА м. Торецьк по запобіганню або мінімізації ризиків внаслідок закриття шахт. – Торецьк, 2020. – С.25.<br />26 https://v-variant.com.ua/article/kolohycheskaia-katastrofa-v-enakyevo-shakhtn-e-vod-otravliaiut-reky-y-stavky/<br />27 Свідок E002Z<br />28 https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0452-10#Text<br />29 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9aMHwONGTA<br />30 https://rubryka.com/ru/article/donbas-ekologiya/?fbclid=IwAR03EfxDzVfFmj96lvtnzuPWy2a2t1S8NFjK3kLROXmG-9KsSXFbu68GNqA<br />31 https://www.geo.gov.ua/ekzogenni-geologichni-procesi/<br />32 https://uain.press/articles/ekologichna-sytuatsiya-na-donbasi-838351<br />33 План дій для ВЦА м. Торецьк по запобіганню або мінімізації ризиків внаслідок закриття шахт. – Торецьк, 2020. – С.28.<br />34 План дій для ВЦА м. Торецьк по запобіганню або мінімізації ризиків внаслідок закриття шахт. – Торецьк, 2020. – С.28.<br />35 https://www.geo.gov.ua/ekzogenni-geologichni-procesi/<br />36 https://www.nas.gov.ua/UA/Messages/Pages/View.aspx?MessageID=7161<br />37 https://v-variant.com.ua/article/zhytely-makeevky-zhaluiutsia-na-zahadochn-e-zemletriasenyia-ot-podzemn-kh-tolchkov-rushatsia-<br />38 https://vk.com/wall-32205256?q=%D1%88%D0%B0%D1%85%D1%82%D0%B0%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%80%D1%<br />8B%D1%82%D0%B0&w=wall-32205256_1348634<br />39 https://v-variant.com.ua/article/zhytely-makeevky-zhaluiutsia-na-zahadochn-e-zemletriasenyia-ot-podzemn-kh-tolchkov-<br />rushatsia-doma/<br />40 Свідок E003T<br />41 https://dn.depo.ua/rus/donetsk/v-gorlivtsi-skarzhatsya-shcho-gaz-iz-zatoplenikh-shakht-vikhodit-na-poverkhnyu-i-go-<br />rit-202011111243292/amp<br />42 План дій для ВЦА м. Торецьк по запобіганню або мінімізації ризиків внаслідок закриття шахт. – Торецьк, 2020. – С.29<br />43 https://www.ukrrudprom.ua/digest/Atomniy_vzriv_bez_sroka_davnosti.html<br />44 https://mru-journal.com.ua/index.php/mru/article/view/13/13?fbclid=IwAR2qKsdY9kciF9XZfuJ_Orss3Ep5Cuu9eHevenf3AMzeDHK_Ow-<br />p2FuLqA9o<br />47 https://don.gp.gov.ua/ua/news.html?_m=publications&_c=view&_t=rec&id=229867<br />48 https://www.delfi.lt/ru/news/live/kakoj-ekokoktejl-vojna-v-donbasse-prigotovila-ego-zhitelyam-i-sosedyam-v-rostovskoj-oblasti-ros-<br />sii.d?id=82892585<br />49 https://www.facebook.com/dmitry.tymchuk/posts/1786378171490830<br />50 https://www.delfi.lt/ru/news/live/kakoj-ekokoktejl-vojna-v-donbasse-prigotovila-ego-zhitelyam-i-sosedyam-v-rostovskoj-oblasti-ros<br />51 https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/1/2/405497.pdf<br />52 https://deis.menr.gov.ua/lib/files/zvitrve.pdf<br />53 Там же<br />54 https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2017/02/24/kerivnicztvo-doneczkoi-filtruvalnoi-stanczii-pripinilo-robotu-ale-voda-nadhodit-do-naselenn-<br />ya-v-shtatnomu-rezhimi/<br />55 http://khpg.org/1510756876<br />56 Свідок E004Z<br />57 https://dn.gov.ua/ua/news/fahivci-provodyat-pidgotovku-do-zapusku-nasosnoyi-stanciyi-pershogo-pidjomu-pivdennodonbaskogo-vodo-<br />provodu<br />58 https://www.osce.org/chairmanship/354741<br />59 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=external&v=724719858208292<br />60 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=external&v=724719858208292<br />61 Свідок E005V<br />62 https://novosti.dn.ua/news/271165-dnr-v-dokuchaevske-yz-za-obstrela-ostanovleny-ochystnye-sooruzhenyya<br />63 https://www.epravda.com.ua/rus/news/2017/01/30/619249/<br />64 Зведений аналіз впливу вугільних підприємств ДП «Первомайськвугілля» на навколишнє природнє середовище. – Київ, 2020. – С. 8.<br />65 https://www.dsns.gov.ua/files/2017/8/18/Analit%20dopovid/analit%20oglad.pdf<br />66 Свідок E006A<br />67 https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/donbass-realii/29523625.html<br />68 Зведений аналіз впливу вугільних підприємств ДП «Первомайськвугілля» на навколишнє природнє середовище. – Київ, 2020. – С. 8.<br />69 Там же<br />70 https://www.dsns.gov.ua/files/2017/8/18/Analit%20dopovid/analit%20oglad.pdf<br />71 Свідок E006A<br />72 Шлам – це відходи продукту, складові пилові і найдрібніші его частинки, одержувані у вигляді осаду при промиванні рудного<br />матеріалу. Шламонакопичувачі являються собою відкриті земляні ємності: після накопичення в них певної кількості шламу їх<br />консервують і шлам подається в інші накопичувачі.<br />73 https://www.facebook.com/pressjfo.news/posts/424129041413051<br />74 https://rg.ru/2016/07/27/obstrely-donbassa-stali-grozit-ekologicheskoj-katastrofoj.html<br />75 https://deis.menr.gov.ua/lib/?showarticle/ua/9<br />76 https://www.dsns.gov.ua/ua/Nadzvichayni-podiyi/114930.html<br />77 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpWa6YTRJs8&feature=emb_title<br />78 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=Ncg88GDhSjw&feature=emb_title; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxzVZo-<br />i7co0&feature=emb_title; https://t.me/lugopeerativny/45; https://t.me/medvedev_note/635<br />79 https://twitter.com/YuliaUtara889/status/1312031944096526337<br />80 https://www.facebook.com/backandalive/videos/630591714487837/<br />81 https://www.facebook.com/pressjfo.news/posts/424129041413051<br />82 https://mepr.gov.ua/news/35246.html<br />83 Згідно з даними Державної служби геології та надр України.<br />84 https://helsinki.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Na-mezhi-vyzhyvannya.pdf<br />85 https://ips.ligazakon.net/document/view/re35005?an=154<br />86 http://epl.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/1817_WEB_EPL_Posibnuk_ATO_Cover_Ukrainian.pdf<br />90 https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/COM/470-750044?OpenDocument<br />91 https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_rul_rule45?fbclid=IwAR1hwybk7T3QLBSw99x8RbSVSMLxnajZN7Uqyz-<br />3RQ9bqZM_St_Vmfjl3sqk<br />92 https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_rul_rule45?fbclid=IwAR1hwybk7T3QLBSw99x8RbSVSMLxnajZN7Uqyz-<br />3RQ9bqZM_St_Vmfjl3sqk</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d0df35b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="d0df35b" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-126c192" data-id="126c192" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c957c41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="c957c41" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7b55285 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="7b55285" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8dfd38d" data-id="8dfd38d" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-b8ad969 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="b8ad969" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"zoomIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h5 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">“Довкілля Донбасу: невидимий фронт”, Київ, 2021 рік</h5> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3fa2466 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="3fa2466" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-82ae0c1" data-id="82ae0c1" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-d6c938d elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="d6c938d" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Звіт підготувала громадська організація <b>Truth Hounds</b> за сприяння <b>National Endowment for Democracy</b> в рамках проєкту з моніторингу і документування порушень прав людини та встановлення фактів, що можуть містити ознаки воєнних злочинів, на Сході України в рамках військового конфлікту, що триває.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a11e0d4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a11e0d4" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d0b34f8" data-id="d0b34f8" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c581176 elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box" data-id="c581176" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="image-box.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <style>/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 26-03-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image-box .elementor-image-box-content{width:100%}@media (min-width:768px){.elementor-widget-image-box.elementor-position-left .elementor-image-box-wrapper,.elementor-widget-image-box.elementor-position-right .elementor-image-box-wrapper{display:flex}.elementor-widget-image-box.elementor-position-right .elementor-image-box-wrapper{text-align:right;flex-direction:row-reverse}.elementor-widget-image-box.elementor-position-left .elementor-image-box-wrapper{text-align:left;flex-direction:row}.elementor-widget-image-box.elementor-position-top .elementor-image-box-img{margin:auto}.elementor-widget-image-box.elementor-vertical-align-top .elementor-image-box-wrapper{align-items:flex-start}.elementor-widget-image-box.elementor-vertical-align-middle .elementor-image-box-wrapper{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-image-box.elementor-vertical-align-bottom .elementor-image-box-wrapper{align-items:flex-end}}@media (max-width:767px){.elementor-widget-image-box .elementor-image-box-img{margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-bottom:15px}}.elementor-widget-image-box .elementor-image-box-img{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image-box .elementor-image-box-title a{color:inherit}.elementor-widget-image-box .elementor-image-box-wrapper{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image-box .elementor-image-box-description{margin:0}</style><div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><figure class="elementor-image-box-img"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="960" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/truth-hounds-userpic.jpg 960w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/truth-hounds-userpic-470x470.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/truth-hounds-userpic-170x170.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/truth-hounds-userpic-768x768.jpg 768w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/truth-hounds-userpic.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-2060 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="960" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/truth-hounds-userpic.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-2060" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/truth-hounds-userpic.jpg 960w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/truth-hounds-userpic-470x470.jpg 470w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/truth-hounds-userpic-170x170.jpg 170w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/truth-hounds-userpic-768x768.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></noscript></figure><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Truth Hounds</h3></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d9569f9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="d9569f9" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a75f7e5" data-id="a75f7e5" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-989a8dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="989a8dc" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-46aabdd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="46aabdd" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-479ff6d" data-id="479ff6d" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-520d76a elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box" data-id="520d76a" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="image-box.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><figure class="elementor-image-box-img"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="420" height="103" alt="" data-srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ned.png 420w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ned-170x42.png 170w" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ned.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-2061 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="420" height="103" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ned.png" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-2061" alt="" srcset="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ned.png 420w, https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ned-170x42.png 170w" sizes="(max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px" /></noscript></figure><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">National Endowment for Democracy, NED</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">NED is a private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. Each year the foundation makes more than 1,700 grants to support the projects of non-governmental groups abroad who are working for democratic goals in more than 90 countries.</p></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-602429a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="602429a" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bca2d15" data-id="bca2d15" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f1dc8e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="f1dc8e5" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4ffb3af animated-slow elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-invisible" data-id="4ffb3af" data-element_type="section" data-settings="{"animation":"fadeInRight"}"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-521df68" data-id="521df68" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-3ba2b64 elementor-position-left elementor-view-default elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-vertical-align-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box" data-id="3ba2b64" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="icon-box.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-icon-box-wrapper"> <div class="elementor-icon-box-icon"> <a href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/donbas-ecology-report-2021-truth-hounds_en.pdf" target="_blank" class="elementor-icon elementor-animation-" tabindex="-1"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="e-font-icon-svg e-far-file-pdf" viewBox="0 0 384 512" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M369.9 97.9L286 14C277 5 264.8-.1 252.1-.1H48C21.5 0 0 21.5 0 48v416c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h288c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V131.9c0-12.7-5.1-25-14.1-34zM332.1 128H256V51.9l76.1 76.1zM48 464V48h160v104c0 13.3 10.7 24 24 24h104v288H48zm250.2-143.7c-12.2-12-47-8.7-64.4-6.5-17.2-10.5-28.7-25-36.8-46.3 3.9-16.1 10.1-40.6 5.4-56-4.2-26.2-37.8-23.6-42.6-5.9-4.4 16.1-.4 38.5 7 67.1-10 23.9-24.9 56-35.4 74.4-20 10.3-47 26.2-51 46.2-3.3 15.8 26 55.2 76.1-31.2 22.4-7.4 46.8-16.5 68.4-20.1 18.9 10.2 41 17 55.8 17 25.5 0 28-28.2 17.5-38.7zm-198.1 77.8c5.1-13.7 24.5-29.5 30.4-35-19 30.3-30.4 35.7-30.4 35zm81.6-190.6c7.4 0 6.7 32.1 1.8 40.8-4.4-13.9-4.3-40.8-1.8-40.8zm-24.4 136.6c9.7-16.9 18-37 24.7-54.7 8.3 15.1 18.9 27.2 30.1 35.5-20.8 4.3-38.9 13.1-54.8 19.2zm131.6-5s-5 6-37.3-7.8c35.1-2.6 40.9 5.4 37.3 7.8z"></path></svg> </a> </div> <div class="elementor-icon-box-content"> <h3 class="elementor-icon-box-title"> <a href="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/donbas-ecology-report-2021-truth-hounds_en.pdf" target="_blank" > Read the Report PDF </a> </h3> <p class="elementor-icon-box-description"> open in the new window </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-694569d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="694569d" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-87524f2" data-id="87524f2" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f86d7e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="f86d7e2" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div class="post-tags"> </div> </div> </main> <div data-elementor-type="footer" data-elementor-id="8501" class="elementor elementor-8501 elementor-location-footer" data-elementor-post-type="elementor_library"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ce5269b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent" data-id="ce5269b" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-987de9e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent" data-id="987de9e" data-element_type="container" data-settings="{"background_background":"classic"}" data-e-bg-lazyload="" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4527b8e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent" data-id="4527b8e" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-b0ee2f6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent" data-id="b0ee2f6" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-79d0e0d elementor-hidden-desktop cpel-switcher--layout-horizontal elementor-widget elementor-widget-polylang-language-switcher" data-id="79d0e0d" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="polylang-language-switcher.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <nav class="cpel-switcher__nav"><ul class="cpel-switcher__list"><li class="cpel-switcher__lang"><a lang="uk" hreflang="uk" href="https://truth-hounds.org/"><span class="cpel-switcher__code">UA</span></a></li><li class="cpel-switcher__lang cpel-switcher__lang--active"><a lang="en-US" hreflang="en-US" href="https://truth-hounds.org/en/donbas-environment-invisible-front/"><span class="cpel-switcher__code">EN</span></a></li></ul></nav> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-15fbc61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="15fbc61" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/en/cases/">Our portfolio</a></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e40ff1f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent" data-id="e40ff1f" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1367310 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="1367310" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="/en/about/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About us</span></a></p><p><a href="/en/about#mission">Mission</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#directions"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">What we do</span></a></p><p><a href="/en/about#monitoring">Monitoring</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#documenting">Documenting</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#investigating">Investigations</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#systemating">preserving and systematization</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#actors">working with actors of justice</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#education">training</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ea6bf7c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent" data-id="ea6bf7c" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7d3df7a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="7d3df7a" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="/en/team/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team</span></a></p><p><a href="/en/openings/">Vacancies</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-5295742 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="5295742" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="/en/partners">Collaborations</a></p><p><a href="/en/donors">Donors</a></p><p><a href="/en/reports/">Annual reports</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-9e4631f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent" data-id="9e4631f" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-52b5c41 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent" data-id="52b5c41" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="e-con-inner"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4e81030 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent" data-id="4e81030" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="e-con-inner"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ae456d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="ae456d6" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-button-wrapper"> <a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="/en/contact/"> <span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper"> <span class="elementor-button-text">Contacts</span> </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6b758d1 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="6b758d1" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-button-wrapper"> <a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="#form-popup"> <span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper"> <span class="elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle" viewBox="0 0 512 512" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z"></path></svg> </span> <span class="elementor-button-text">Я СВІДОК/ИНЯ ЗЛОЧИНУ →</span> </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ecee785 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="ecee785" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-button-wrapper"> <a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xs" href="/en/support/"> <span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper"> <span class="elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-right"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="e-font-icon-svg e-fas-heart" viewBox="0 0 512 512" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M462.3 62.6C407.5 15.9 326 24.3 275.7 76.2L256 96.5l-19.7-20.3C186.1 24.3 104.5 15.9 49.7 62.6c-62.8 53.6-66.1 149.8-9.9 207.9l193.5 199.8c12.5 12.9 32.8 12.9 45.3 0l193.5-199.8c56.3-58.1 53-154.3-9.8-207.9z"></path></svg> </span> <span class="elementor-button-text">Donate</span> </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-d250bca e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent" data-id="d250bca" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="e-con-inner"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1a2a984 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="1a2a984" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="https://facebook.com/truthhounds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FB</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/truth_hounds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inst</a></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Truth_Hounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></p><p><a href="https://ua.linkedin.com/company/truth-hounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Linkedin</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e340ac5 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="e340ac5" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="https://facebook.com/truthhounds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FB</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-8ab396e elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="8ab396e" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/truth_hounds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inst</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1275d4f elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="1275d4f" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/Truth_Hounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7cd16dc elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="7cd16dc" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="https://ua.linkedin.com/company/truth-hounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Linkedin</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-5079067 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="5079067" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-df740be elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent" data-id="df740be" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="e-con-inner"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-45453f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="45453f9" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-button-wrapper"> <a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="#form-popup"> <span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper"> <span class="elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle" viewBox="0 0 512 512" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z"></path></svg> </span> <span class="elementor-button-text">I witnessed a crime →</span> </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-5057439 cpel-switcher--layout-horizontal elementor-widget elementor-widget-polylang-language-switcher" data-id="5057439" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="polylang-language-switcher.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <nav class="cpel-switcher__nav"><ul class="cpel-switcher__list"><li class="cpel-switcher__lang"><a lang="uk" hreflang="uk" href="https://truth-hounds.org/"><span class="cpel-switcher__code">UA</span></a></li><li class="cpel-switcher__lang cpel-switcher__lang--active"><a lang="en-US" hreflang="en-US" href="https://truth-hounds.org/en/donbas-environment-invisible-front/"><span class="cpel-switcher__code">EN</span></a></li></ul></nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script type='text/javascript'> const lazyloadRunObserver = () => { const dataAttribute = 'data-e-bg-lazyload'; const lazyloadBackgrounds = document.querySelectorAll( `[${ dataAttribute }]:not(.lazyloaded)` ); const lazyloadBackgroundObserver = new IntersectionObserver( ( entries ) => { entries.forEach( ( entry ) => { if ( entry.isIntersecting ) { let lazyloadBackground = entry.target; const lazyloadSelector = lazyloadBackground.getAttribute( dataAttribute ); if ( lazyloadSelector ) { lazyloadBackground = entry.target.querySelector( lazyloadSelector ); } if( lazyloadBackground ) { lazyloadBackground.classList.add( 'lazyloaded' ); } lazyloadBackgroundObserver.unobserve( entry.target ); } }); }, { rootMargin: '100px 0px 100px 0px' } ); lazyloadBackgrounds.forEach( ( lazyloadBackground ) => { lazyloadBackgroundObserver.observe( lazyloadBackground ); } ); }; const events = [ 'DOMContentLoaded', 'elementor/lazyload/observe', ]; events.forEach( ( event ) => { document.addEventListener( event, lazyloadRunObserver ); } ); </script> <aside data-elementor-type="popup" data-elementor-id="12777" class="elementor elementor-12777 elementor-location-popup" data-elementor-settings="{"entrance_animation":"fadeIn","exit_animation":"fadeIn","entrance_animation_duration":{"unit":"px","size":0.40000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,"sizes":[]},"open_selector":"a[href=\"#hound-form-popup\"]","a11y_navigation":"yes","triggers":[],"timing":[]}" data-elementor-post-type="elementor_library"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-679dc20 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent" data-id="679dc20" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-71cb62c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child" data-id="71cb62c" data-element_type="container" data-settings="{"background_background":"classic"}"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6cb4a2f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="6cb4a2f" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">ОФОРМИТИ ЗАЯВКУ НА PRO-ВЕРСІЮ</h2> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-8963512 elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="8963512" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Після підтвердження заявки ми надішлемо посилання на доступ.</p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-a867389 elementor-button-align-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-form" data-id="a867389" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"button_width":"70","step_next_label":"\u0414\u0430\u043b\u0456","step_previous_label":"\u041f\u043e\u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0434\u043d\u0456\u0439","step_type":"number_text","step_icon_shape":"circle"}" data-widget_type="form.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <style>/*! elementor-pro - v3.20.0 - 26-03-2024 */ .elementor-button.elementor-hidden,.elementor-hidden{display:none}.e-form__step{width:100%}.e-form__step:not(.elementor-hidden){display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap}.e-form__buttons{flex-wrap:wrap}.e-form__buttons,.e-form__buttons__wrapper{display:flex}.e-form__indicators{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;flex-wrap:nowrap;font-size:13px;margin-bottom:var(--e-form-steps-indicators-spacing)}.e-form__indicators__indicator{display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-basis:0;padding:0 var(--e-form-steps-divider-gap)}.e-form__indicators__indicator__progress{width:100%;position:relative;background-color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-progress-background-color);border-radius:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-progress-border-radius);overflow:hidden}.e-form__indicators__indicator__progress__meter{width:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-progress-meter-width,0);height:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-progress-height);line-height:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-progress-height);padding-right:15px;border-radius:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-progress-border-radius);background-color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-progress-color);color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-progress-meter-color);text-align:right;transition:width .1s linear}.e-form__indicators__indicator:first-child{padding-left:0}.e-form__indicators__indicator:last-child{padding-right:0}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-inactive{color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-inactive-primary-color,#c2cbd2)}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-inactive [class*=indicator--shape-]:not(.e-form__indicators__indicator--shape-none){background-color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-inactive-secondary-color,#fff)}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-inactive object,.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-inactive svg{fill:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-inactive-primary-color,#c2cbd2)}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-active{color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-active-primary-color,#39b54a);border-color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-active-secondary-color,#fff)}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-active [class*=indicator--shape-]:not(.e-form__indicators__indicator--shape-none){background-color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-active-secondary-color,#fff)}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-active object,.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-active svg{fill:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-active-primary-color,#39b54a)}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-completed{color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-completed-secondary-color,#fff)}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-completed [class*=indicator--shape-]:not(.e-form__indicators__indicator--shape-none){background-color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-completed-primary-color,#39b54a)}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-completed .e-form__indicators__indicator__label{color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-completed-primary-color,#39b54a)}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-completed .e-form__indicators__indicator--shape-none{color:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-completed-primary-color,#39b54a);background-color:initial}.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-completed object,.e-form__indicators__indicator--state-completed svg{fill:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-completed-secondary-color,#fff)}.e-form__indicators__indicator__icon{width:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-padding,30px);height:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-padding,30px);font-size:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-icon-size);border-width:1px;border-style:solid;display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center;overflow:hidden;margin-bottom:10px}.e-form__indicators__indicator__icon img,.e-form__indicators__indicator__icon object,.e-form__indicators__indicator__icon svg{width:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-icon-size);height:auto}.e-form__indicators__indicator__icon .e-font-icon-svg{height:1em}.e-form__indicators__indicator__number{width:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-padding,30px);height:var(--e-form-steps-indicator-padding,30px);border-width:1px;border-style:solid;display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center;margin-bottom:10px}.e-form__indicators__indicator--shape-circle{border-radius:50%}.e-form__indicators__indicator--shape-square{border-radius:0}.e-form__indicators__indicator--shape-rounded{border-radius:5px}.e-form__indicators__indicator--shape-none{border:0}.e-form__indicators__indicator__label{text-align:center}.e-form__indicators__indicator__separator{width:100%;height:var(--e-form-steps-divider-width);background-color:#babfc5}.e-form__indicators--type-icon,.e-form__indicators--type-icon_text,.e-form__indicators--type-number,.e-form__indicators--type-number_text{align-items:flex-start}.e-form__indicators--type-icon .e-form__indicators__indicator__separator,.e-form__indicators--type-icon_text .e-form__indicators__indicator__separator,.e-form__indicators--type-number .e-form__indicators__indicator__separator,.e-form__indicators--type-number_text .e-form__indicators__indicator__separator{margin-top:calc(var(--e-form-steps-indicator-padding, 30px) / 2 - var(--e-form-steps-divider-width, 1px) / 2)}.elementor-field-type-hidden{display:none}.elementor-field-type-html{display:inline-block}.elementor-field-type-tel input{direction:inherit}.elementor-login .elementor-lost-password,.elementor-login .elementor-remember-me{font-size:.85em}.elementor-field-type-recaptcha_v3 .elementor-field-label{display:none}.elementor-field-type-recaptcha_v3 .grecaptcha-badge{z-index:1}.elementor-button .elementor-form-spinner{order:3}.elementor-form .elementor-button>span{display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center}.elementor-form .elementor-button .elementor-button-text{white-space:normal;flex-grow:0}.elementor-form .elementor-button svg{height:auto}.elementor-form .elementor-button .e-font-icon-svg{height:1em}.elementor-select-wrapper .select-caret-down-wrapper{position:absolute;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%);inset-inline-end:10px;pointer-events:none;font-size:11px}.elementor-select-wrapper .select-caret-down-wrapper svg{display:unset;width:1em;aspect-ratio:unset;fill:currentColor}.elementor-select-wrapper .select-caret-down-wrapper i{font-size:19px;line-height:2}.elementor-select-wrapper.remove-before:before{content:""!important}</style> <form class="elementor-form" method="post" id="hound_form_ua" name="the-hound-form--ua"> <input type="hidden" name="post_id" value="12777"/> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="a867389"/> <input type="hidden" name="referer_title" value="DONBAS ENVIRONMENT: INVISIBLE FRONT" /> <input type="hidden" name="queried_id" value="4406"/> <div class="elementor-form-fields-wrapper elementor-labels-"> <div class="elementor-field-type-email elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-email_ua elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required"> <label for="form-field-email_ua" class="elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only"> Ваша робоча електронна адреса </label> <input size="1" type="email" name="form_fields[email_ua]" id="form-field-email_ua" class="elementor-field elementor-size-sm elementor-field-textual" placeholder="Ваша робоча електронна адреса " required="required" aria-required="true"> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_9a34b5d elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required"> <label for="form-field-field_9a34b5d" class="elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only"> Назва організації або установи (держоргану) </label> <input size="1" type="text" name="form_fields[field_9a34b5d]" id="form-field-field_9a34b5d" class="elementor-field elementor-size-sm elementor-field-textual" placeholder="Назва організації або установи (держоргану)" required="required" aria-required="true"> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-textarea elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_67770fe elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required"> <label for="form-field-field_67770fe" class="elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only"> Коротко опишіть, для яких потреб ви будете використовувати браузер? </label> <textarea class="elementor-field-textual elementor-field elementor-size-sm" name="form_fields[field_67770fe]" id="form-field-field_67770fe" rows="3" placeholder="Коротко опишіть, для яких потреб ви будете використовувати браузер?" required="required" aria-required="true"></textarea> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-html elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_cbebec2 elementor-col-100"> <div style="margin-top:30px;"class="form-row" id="consent"> Натискаючи на кнопку «Надіслати», ви даєте згоду на обробку своїх персональних даних </div> <style> /* Existing CSS styles for the form-row class */ .form-row { margin-bottom: 10px; } #consent { font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; } .form-row a { color: black; text-decoration: underline; } </style> </div> <div class="elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-type-submit elementor-col-70 e-form__buttons"> <button type="submit" class="elementor-button elementor-size-xs"> <span > <span class=" elementor-button-icon"> </span> <span class="elementor-button-text">Надіслати</span> </span> </button> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </aside> <aside data-elementor-type="popup" data-elementor-id="8504" class="elementor elementor-8504 elementor-location-popup" data-elementor-settings="{"entrance_animation":"fadeIn","exit_animation":"fadeIn","entrance_animation_duration":{"unit":"px","size":0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,"sizes":[]},"open_selector":"a[href=\"#form-popup\"]","a11y_navigation":"yes","triggers":[],"timing":[]}" data-elementor-post-type="elementor_library"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-604978f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent" data-id="604978f" data-element_type="container" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-d63fc16 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child" data-id="d63fc16" data-element_type="container" data-settings="{"background_background":"classic"}"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-53dee9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="53dee9f" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Have you seen or do you know about a crime?</h2> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-796c663 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="796c663" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Tell Truth Hounds about it and we will specifically document it and relegate the case file to the law enforcement bodies.</p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-9c4a62d elementor-button-align-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-form" data-id="9c4a62d" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"button_width":"70","step_next_label":"\u0414\u0430\u043b\u0456","step_previous_label":"\u041f\u043e\u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0434\u043d\u0456\u0439","step_type":"number_text","step_icon_shape":"circle"}" data-widget_type="form.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <form class="elementor-form" method="post" name="crime-witness-en"> <input type="hidden" name="post_id" value="8504"/> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="9c4a62d"/> <input type="hidden" name="referer_title" value="DONBAS ENVIRONMENT: INVISIBLE FRONT" /> <input type="hidden" name="queried_id" value="4406"/> <div class="elementor-form-fields-wrapper elementor-labels-"> <div class="elementor-field-type-radio elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-crime_witness elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required"> <label for="form-field-crime_witness" class="elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only"> crime witness </label> <div class="elementor-field-subgroup elementor-subgroup-inline"><span class="elementor-field-option"><input type="radio" value="I witnessed a crime" id="form-field-crime_witness-0" name="form_fields[crime_witness]" required="required" aria-required="true"> <label for="form-field-crime_witness-0">I witnessed a crime</label></span><span class="elementor-field-option"><input type="radio" value="I know about a crime" id="form-field-crime_witness-1" name="form_fields[crime_witness]" required="required" aria-required="true"> <label for="form-field-crime_witness-1">I know about a crime</label></span><span class="elementor-field-option"><input type="radio" value="I suffered from a crime" id="form-field-crime_witness-2" name="form_fields[crime_witness]" required="required" aria-required="true"> <label for="form-field-crime_witness-2">I suffered from a crime</label></span></div> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-crime_description elementor-col-100"> <label for="form-field-crime_description" class="elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only"> description </label> <input size="1" type="text" name="form_fields[crime_description]" id="form-field-crime_description" class="elementor-field elementor-size-sm elementor-field-textual" placeholder="Tell us about it"> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-upload elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-file_upload elementor-col-100"> <label for="form-field-file_upload" class="elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only"> file upload </label> <input type="file" name="form_fields[file_upload][]" id="form-field-file_upload" class="elementor-field elementor-size-sm elementor-upload-field" multiple="multiple"> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-html elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_616ec48 elementor-col-30"> <div class="form-row"> <div class="form-title">Contact details:</div> </div> <style> /* Existing CSS styles for the form-row and form-title classes */ .form-row { margin-bottom: 10px; } .form-title { font-size: 32px; line-height: 40px; text-transform: uppercase; } </style> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-name elementor-col-70"> <label for="form-field-name" class="elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only"> Name </label> <input size="1" type="text" name="form_fields[name]" id="form-field-name" class="elementor-field elementor-size-sm elementor-field-textual" placeholder="Name"> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-html elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_b0d2b05 elementor-col-30"> <div class="form-row"> <div class="form-title"></div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-tel elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-phone elementor-col-70"> <label for="form-field-phone" class="elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only"> Telephone number </label> <input size="1" type="tel" name="form_fields[phone]" id="form-field-phone" class="elementor-field elementor-size-sm elementor-field-textual" placeholder="Telephone number" pattern="[0-9()#&+*-=.]+" title="Only numbers and phone characters (#, -, *, etc) are accepted."> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-html elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_b066423 elementor-col-30"> <div class="form-row"> <div class="form-title"></div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-email elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-email elementor-col-70 elementor-field-required"> <label for="form-field-email" class="elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only"> email </label> <input size="1" type="email" name="form_fields[email]" id="form-field-email" class="elementor-field elementor-size-sm elementor-field-textual" placeholder="email" required="required" aria-required="true"> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-html elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_75de518 elementor-col-100"> <div class="form-row"> <div class="form-title"></div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-html elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_1321b0a elementor-col-100"> <div class="form-row"> <div class="form-title"></div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-field-type-html elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_cbebec2 elementor-col-30"> <div class="form-row" id="consent"> By pressing the ‘Submit’ button, you consent to processing of your <a href="your-link-url" target="_blank"> personal data</a> </div> <style> /* Existing CSS styles for the form-row class */ .form-row { margin-bottom: 10px; } #consent { font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; } .form-row a { color: black; text-decoration: underline; } </style> </div> <div class="elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-type-submit elementor-col-70 e-form__buttons"> <button type="submit" class="elementor-button elementor-size-xs"> <span > <span class=" elementor-button-icon"> </span> <span class="elementor-button-text">Submit</span> </span> </button> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </aside> <aside data-elementor-type="popup" data-elementor-id="8456" class="elementor elementor-8456 elementor-location-popup" data-elementor-settings="{"entrance_animation":"slideInLeft","exit_animation":"slideInLeft","entrance_animation_duration":{"unit":"px","size":0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,"sizes":[]},"open_selector":"#menu-popup","triggers":[],"timing":[]}" data-elementor-post-type="elementor_library"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-3016b5e4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent" data-id="3016b5e4" data-element_type="container" data-settings="{"background_background":"classic"}" data-core-v316-plus="true"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2b0ebc0 cpel-switcher--align-left elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet cpel-switcher--layout-horizontal elementor-widget elementor-widget-polylang-language-switcher" data-id="2b0ebc0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="polylang-language-switcher.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <nav class="cpel-switcher__nav"><ul class="cpel-switcher__list"><li class="cpel-switcher__lang"><a lang="uk" hreflang="uk" href="https://truth-hounds.org/"><span class="cpel-switcher__code">UA</span></a></li><li class="cpel-switcher__lang cpel-switcher__lang--active"><a lang="en-US" hreflang="en-US" href="https://truth-hounds.org/en/donbas-environment-invisible-front/"><span class="cpel-switcher__code">EN</span></a></li></ul></nav> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-43eb9585 elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child" data-id="43eb9585" data-element_type="container"> <div class="e-con-inner"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7235364 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="7235364" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <img width="800" height="103" alt="" data-src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/site-logo-white-1.svg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15077 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="800" height="103" src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/site-logo-white-1.svg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15077" alt="" /></noscript> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c0b3470 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child" data-id="c0b3470" data-element_type="container"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-612098c4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child" data-id="612098c4" data-element_type="container"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2511183 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="2511183" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="/en/about/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About us</span></a></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/en/cases/">Our portfolio</a></span></p><p><a href="/en/about#mission">Mission</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#directions"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Areas of our work</span></a></p><p><a href="/en/team/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Team</span></a></p><p><a href="/en/openings/">Vacancies</a></p><p><a href="/en/partners#collaborations">Collaborations</a></p><p><a href="/en/donors">Donors</a></p><p><a href="/en/reports/">Reports</a></p><p><a href="/en/contact/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Contacts</span></a></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/en/cases/">Our portfolio</a></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-5584d2b4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child" data-id="5584d2b4" data-element_type="container"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7aaeb9c elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="7aaeb9c" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-button-wrapper"> <a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="https://truth-hounds.org/en/support/"> <span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper"> <span class="elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-right"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="e-font-icon-svg e-fas-heart" viewBox="0 0 512 512" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M462.3 62.6C407.5 15.9 326 24.3 275.7 76.2L256 96.5l-19.7-20.3C186.1 24.3 104.5 15.9 49.7 62.6c-62.8 53.6-66.1 149.8-9.9 207.9l193.5 199.8c12.5 12.9 32.8 12.9 45.3 0l193.5-199.8c56.3-58.1 53-154.3-9.8-207.9z"></path></svg> </span> <span class="elementor-button-text">donate</span> </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-660a0495 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="660a0495" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2d3c346 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="2d3c346" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="/en/about#monitoring">Monitoring</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#documenting">Documenting</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#investigating">Investigations</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#systemating">Preserving and systematisation</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#actors">Working with actors of justice</a></p><p><a href="/en/about#education">Training</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-05ae42e elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="05ae42e" data-element_type="widget" id="popup-contact-form" data-widget_type="button.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-button-wrapper"> <a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="#form-popup"> <span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper"> <span class="elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle" viewBox="0 0 512 512" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z"></path></svg> </span> <span class="elementor-button-text"><u>I witnessed a crime</u> →</span> </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4baef92 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="4baef92" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-button-wrapper"> <a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="/en/support/"> <span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper"> <span class="elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-right"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="e-font-icon-svg e-fas-heart" viewBox="0 0 512 512" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M462.3 62.6C407.5 15.9 326 24.3 275.7 76.2L256 96.5l-19.7-20.3C186.1 24.3 104.5 15.9 49.7 62.6c-62.8 53.6-66.1 149.8-9.9 207.9l193.5 199.8c12.5 12.9 32.8 12.9 45.3 0l193.5-199.8c56.3-58.1 53-154.3-9.8-207.9z"></path></svg> </span> <span class="elementor-button-text">Donate</span> </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-75b20a3c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child" data-id="75b20a3c" data-element_type="container"> <div class="e-con-inner"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-17af480c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child" data-id="17af480c" data-element_type="container"> <div class="e-con-inner"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-42f1b52 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="42f1b52" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="https://facebook.com/truthhounds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fb</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-a53df1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="a53df1c" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/truth_hounds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inst</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7a18f77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="7a18f77" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/Truth_Hounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-901ee0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="901ee0b" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p><a href="https://ua.linkedin.com/company/truth-hounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Linkedin</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-50245e13 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child" data-id="50245e13" data-element_type="container"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-5c636865 elementor-hidden-mobile cpel-switcher--layout-horizontal elementor-widget elementor-widget-polylang-language-switcher" data-id="5c636865" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="polylang-language-switcher.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <nav class="cpel-switcher__nav"><ul class="cpel-switcher__list"><li class="cpel-switcher__lang"><a lang="uk" hreflang="uk" href="https://truth-hounds.org/"><span class="cpel-switcher__code">UA</span></a></li><li class="cpel-switcher__lang cpel-switcher__lang--active"><a lang="en-US" hreflang="en-US" href="https://truth-hounds.org/en/donbas-environment-invisible-front/"><span class="cpel-switcher__code">EN</span></a></li></ul></nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </aside> <div id="is-popup-wrapper" style="display:none"><div class="popup-search-close"></div><div class="is-popup-search-form"><form data-min-no-for-search=1 data-result-box-max-height=400 data-form-id=8449 class="is-search-form is-form-style is-form-style-3 is-form-id-8449 is-ajax-search" action="https://truth-hounds.org/en/" method="get" role="search" ><label for="is-search-input-8449"><span class="is-screen-reader-text">Search for:</span><input type="search" id="is-search-input-8449" name="s" value="" class="is-search-input" placeholder="Search here..." autocomplete=off /><span class="is-loader-image" style="display: none;background-image:url(https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/add-search-to-menu/public/images/spinner.gif);" ></span></label><button type="submit" class="is-search-submit"><span class="is-screen-reader-text">Search Button</span><span class="is-search-icon"><svg focusable="false" aria-label="Search" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24px"><path d="M15.5 14h-.79l-.28-.27C15.41 12.59 16 11.11 16 9.5 16 5.91 13.09 3 9.5 3S3 5.91 3 9.5 5.91 16 9.5 16c1.61 0 3.09-.59 4.23-1.57l.27.28v.79l5 4.99L20.49 19l-4.99-5zm-6 0C7.01 14 5 11.99 5 9.5S7.01 5 9.5 5 14 7.01 14 9.5 11.99 14 9.5 14z"></path></svg></span></button><input type="hidden" name="id" value="8449" /><input type="hidden" name="post_type" value="cases" /></form></div></div><link rel='stylesheet' id='cpel-language-switcher-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/connect-polylang-elementor/assets/css/language-switcher.min.css?ver=2.4.5' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ivory-ajax-search-styles-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/add-search-to-menu/public/css/ivory-ajax-search.min.css?ver=5.5.5' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='e-animations-css' href='https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/lib/animations/animations.min.css?ver=3.20.3' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-smushit/app/assets/js/smush-lazy-load.min.js?ver=3.15.5" id="smush-lazy-load-js"></script> <script id="ivory-search-scripts-js-extra"> var IvorySearchVars = {"is_analytics_enabled":"1"}; </script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/add-search-to-menu/public/js/ivory-search.min.js?ver=5.5.5" id="ivory-search-scripts-js"></script> <script id="ivory-ajax-search-scripts-js-extra"> var IvoryAjaxVars = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/truth-hounds.org\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","ajax_nonce":"8656069248"}; </script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/add-search-to-menu/public/js/ivory-ajax-search.min.js?ver=5.5.5" id="ivory-ajax-search-scripts-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor-pro/assets/js/webpack-pro.runtime.min.js?ver=3.20.2" id="elementor-pro-webpack-runtime-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/js/webpack.runtime.min.js?ver=3.20.3" id="elementor-webpack-runtime-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/js/frontend-modules.min.js?ver=3.20.3" id="elementor-frontend-modules-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-includes/js/dist/vendor/wp-polyfill-inert.min.js?ver=3.1.2" id="wp-polyfill-inert-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-includes/js/dist/vendor/regenerator-runtime.min.js?ver=0.14.0" id="regenerator-runtime-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-includes/js/dist/vendor/wp-polyfill.min.js?ver=3.15.0" id="wp-polyfill-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-includes/js/dist/hooks.min.js?ver=2810c76e705dd1a53b18" id="wp-hooks-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-includes/js/dist/i18n.min.js?ver=5e580eb46a90c2b997e6" id="wp-i18n-js"></script> <script id="wp-i18n-js-after"> wp.i18n.setLocaleData( { 'text direction\u0004ltr': [ 'ltr' ] } ); </script> <script id="elementor-pro-frontend-js-before"> var ElementorProFrontendConfig = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/truth-hounds.org\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","nonce":"750b4307f6","urls":{"assets":"https:\/\/truth-hounds.org\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor-pro\/assets\/","rest":"https:\/\/truth-hounds.org\/wp-json\/"},"shareButtonsNetworks":{"facebook":{"title":"Facebook","has_counter":true},"twitter":{"title":"Twitter"},"linkedin":{"title":"LinkedIn","has_counter":true},"pinterest":{"title":"Pinterest","has_counter":true},"reddit":{"title":"Reddit","has_counter":true},"vk":{"title":"VK","has_counter":true},"odnoklassniki":{"title":"OK","has_counter":true},"tumblr":{"title":"Tumblr"},"digg":{"title":"Digg"},"skype":{"title":"Skype"},"stumbleupon":{"title":"StumbleUpon","has_counter":true},"mix":{"title":"Mix"},"telegram":{"title":"Telegram"},"pocket":{"title":"Pocket","has_counter":true},"xing":{"title":"XING","has_counter":true},"whatsapp":{"title":"WhatsApp"},"email":{"title":"Email"},"print":{"title":"Print"},"x-twitter":{"title":"X"},"threads":{"title":"Threads"}}, "facebook_sdk":{"lang":"en_US","app_id":""},"lottie":{"defaultAnimationUrl":"https:\/\/truth-hounds.org\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor-pro\/modules\/lottie\/assets\/animations\/default.json"}}; </script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor-pro/assets/js/frontend.min.js?ver=3.20.2" id="elementor-pro-frontend-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/lib/waypoints/waypoints.min.js?ver=4.0.2" id="elementor-waypoints-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/core.min.js?ver=1.13.2" id="jquery-ui-core-js"></script> <script id="elementor-frontend-js-before"> var elementorFrontendConfig = {"environmentMode":{"edit":false,"wpPreview":false,"isScriptDebug":false},"i18n":{"shareOnFacebook":"Share on Facebook","shareOnTwitter":"Share on Twitter","pinIt":"Pin it","download":"Download","downloadImage":"Download image","fullscreen":"Fullscreen","zoom":"Zoom","share":"Share","playVideo":"Play Video","previous":"Previous","next":"Next","close":"Close","a11yCarouselWrapperAriaLabel":"Carousel | Horizontal scrolling: Arrow Left & Right","a11yCarouselPrevSlideMessage":"Previous slide","a11yCarouselNextSlideMessage":"Next slide","a11yCarouselFirstSlideMessage":"This is the first slide","a11yCarouselLastSlideMessage":"This is the last slide","a11yCarouselPaginationBulletMessage":"Go to slide"},"is_rtl":false,"breakpoints":{"xs":0,"sm":480,"md":768,"lg":1025,"xl":1440,"xxl":1600},"responsive":{"breakpoints":{"mobile":{"label":"Mobile Portrait","value":767,"default_value":767,"direction":"max","is_enabled":true},"mobile_extra":{"label":"Mobile Landscape","value":880,"default_value":880,"direction":"max","is_enabled":false},"tablet":{"label":"Tablet Portrait","value":1024,"default_value":1024,"direction":"max","is_enabled":true},"tablet_extra":{"label":"Tablet Landscape","value":1200,"default_value":1200,"direction":"max","is_enabled":false},"laptop":{"label":"Laptop","value":1366,"default_value":1366,"direction":"max","is_enabled":false},"widescreen":{"label":"Widescreen","value":2400,"default_value":2400,"direction":"min","is_enabled":false}}}, "version":"3.20.3","is_static":false,"experimentalFeatures":{"e_optimized_assets_loading":true,"e_optimized_css_loading":true,"e_font_icon_svg":true,"additional_custom_breakpoints":true,"container":true,"e_swiper_latest":true,"theme_builder_v2":true,"editor_v2":true,"block_editor_assets_optimize":true,"ai-layout":true,"landing-pages":true,"nested-elements":true,"e_lazyload":true,"e_image_loading_optimization":true,"notes":true,"form-submissions":true,"mega-menu":true},"urls":{"assets":"https:\/\/truth-hounds.org\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor\/assets\/"},"swiperClass":"swiper","settings":{"page":[],"editorPreferences":[]},"kit":{"body_background_background":"classic","active_breakpoints":["viewport_mobile","viewport_tablet"],"global_image_lightbox":"yes","lightbox_enable_counter":"yes","lightbox_enable_fullscreen":"yes","lightbox_enable_zoom":"yes","lightbox_enable_share":"yes","lightbox_title_src":"title","lightbox_description_src":"description"},"post":{"id":4406,"title":"DONBAS%20ENVIRONMENT%3A%20%20INVISIBLE%20FRONT%20%E2%80%93%20Truth%20Hounds","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/truth-hounds.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/zvit_eco_cover-21.jpg"}}; </script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/js/frontend.min.js?ver=3.20.3" id="elementor-frontend-js"></script> <script src="https://truth-hounds.org/wp-content/plugins/elementor-pro/assets/js/elements-handlers.min.js?ver=3.20.2" id="pro-elements-handlers-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript">(function() { var expirationDate = new Date(); expirationDate.setTime( expirationDate.getTime() + 31536000 * 1000 ); document.cookie = "pll_language=en; expires=" + expirationDate.toUTCString() + "; path=/"; }());</script> </body> </html>