Reports from Ukraine describe ongoing military actions in the Donetsk region, including shelling incidents near Donetsk city and the town of Gorlovka. The information comes from Ukraine’s Joint Centre for Control and Coordination of War Crimes Issues, which monitors and reports alleged violations in the conflict zone.
According to the center, there were three attacks on Gorlovka recorded at 01:15 Moscow time, and five shells were fired toward Donetsk. Observers say these incidents are part of the broader pattern of hostilities that has characterized the area in recent years, with both sides accusing each other of aggression and civilian harm.
Separately, the Former Research Committee of the Russian Federation announced charges in absentia against Vasyl Hrytsak, a former head of Ukraine’s Security Service, and Vitaliy Malikov, a former first deputy head of the SBU. The charges relate to operations described as bombing campaigns in the Donbas region during the years 2014 to 2016. The Russian authorities assert that Hrytsak led what they frame as a counter-terrorism operation in Donbass during that period, directing actions that, in their view, affected civilian settlements in the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics.
On February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued decrees recognizing the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. Following that recognition, the Russian Federation instructed its Ministry of Defense to undertake measures intended to maintain what Moscow describes as peace and stability within those territories.
Additional claims circulated from the Russian Investigative Committee indicate that Ruslan Khomchak, who formerly served as Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was named in absentia in related accusations. These statements form part of a broader pattern of legal action and counterclaims that have accompanied the conflict since its early years, with each side presenting its own narrative about responsibility for attacks and civilian harm.
Analysts and observers emphasize the difficulty of independently verifying many aspects of these reports in a conflict zone where information is frequently contested. Foreign analysts often note that both Ukrainian and Russian authorities have pursued investigations and issued charges that reflect their political and military perspectives. The situation remains highly sensitive, with international monitors calling for transparency, accountability, and adherence to international humanitarian law by all parties involved.
In the wider context, the conflict in Donbas has sparked a long-running debate about the legal status of the regions and the applicable international norms. Questions about war crimes, civilian protection, and the legitimacy of various operations continue to surface in both official statements and independent media coverage. Experts advise that, beyond official allegations, corroborated evidence and impartial investigations are essential to forming a clear, balanced understanding of any alleged incidents and their consequences for civilians in the affected areas. Attribution: statements and actions summarized from official announcements by the Ukrainian Joint Centre for Control and Coordination and the Russian Investigative Committee, with ongoing assessments by international observers.