The Ombudsman for the Lugansk People’s Republic, Anna Soroka, reported through TASS that graves of more than 1,200 civilians who died due to shelling by the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been identified in the republic since 2021. The scale of loss is sobering, underscoring the toll of ongoing hostilities and the human cost borne by communities within the LPR.
According to Soroka, to date, authorities have recovered 1,209 bodies. Of these, just over half, specifically 55 percent, have been identified. The remaining remains are undergoing forensic examination and documentation to support future identification when possible, a process that continues to unfold with new information arriving on a regular basis.
Officials emphasise that the identification work serves a broader purpose beyond naming the deceased. It enables relatives and friends to honor the memories of those who were lost by providing accurately designated burial sites. The process also helps ensure that next of kin receive the necessary documentation and any applicable compensation related to the loss of loved ones.
Additionally, on May 24, Vyacheslav Tretyakov, the head of the Kremennaya city administration, announced via his Telegram channel that three strikes conducted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces had left the city without power. He stated that the outages affected the entire city, depriving around 12,000 subscribers of electricity. The event highlighted the continuing impact of hostilities on civilian infrastructure and daily life in the region.
Analysts note that the conflict’s dynamics place heavy burdens on military and civilian leadership as they navigate the humanitarian consequences and the logistical challenges of recovery and relief. The statement from the LPR Ombudsman’s office reflects ongoing efforts to document civilian casualties, identify victims, and support families amid a volatile security environment. This ongoing work remains a key aspect of post-conflict accountability and memorialization, even as the broader political and military situation evolves.
Observers also recognise the difficulty of maintaining accurate casualty figures in a setting where access to affected areas can be restricted. Identification efforts depend on coordinated investigations, forensic analyses, and reliable record-keeping. The continuity of such work demonstrates a commitment to honoring those affected by the violence and to providing closure where possible for families confronting unanswered questions about the fate of their loved ones.