Russian shelling in the Donetsk region on 31 May resulted in the death of one civilian and eight injuries, including two children. Eight settlements came under fire, and over forty civilian objects, including residential buildings, were damaged. Law enforcement is investigating war crimes related to these attacks.
- As of 31 May, 1,040 attacks on civilian objects were recorded in Donetsk region.
- The shelling killed one civilian and wounded eight.
- Forty-three civilian objects were damaged, including 25 residential buildings.
- The police opened criminal proceedings for war crimes.
Scale of shelling in Donetsk region
On 31 May, police in Donetsk region recorded 1,040 attacks on the frontline and civilian areas. The towns of Bilozerske, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, Mykolaivka, Sloviansk, Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka, and the villages of Dobropillya and Mayaki came under fire. A total of 43 civilian objects were damaged, including 25 residential buildings.
Civilian casualties and injuries
As a result of the attack on Druzhkivka by three FPV drones One civilian was killed and another was injured. Sloviansk was hit by six different types of drone strikes, injuring two people, including a boy born in 2018. Another person was injured in Mykolaivka, and three were wounded in Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka.
Destruction of infrastructure and housing
The occupiers damaged apartment blocks and private houses, trade pavilions, infrastructure, petrol stations, buses and civilian vehicles. In Kramatorsk, four unmanned aerial vehicles damaged a multi-storey building, several cars and infrastructure facilities. In other settlements, significant damage to residential property was also reported.
Legal response and warnings to the public
The police and the SBU opened criminal proceedings for Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, The law on war crimes is now in force. Citizens are advised to observe curfews, avoid unexplored routes, use evacuation routes, and not to touch suspicious objects or call pyrotechnics. The authorities warn of fraudulent schemes that are on the rise during the war and urge people to trust only official sources.
Impact on local communities
The shelling has caused widespread destruction and endangered civilians, especially children. Damage to infrastructure makes everyday life difficult and poses security risks. The regional authorities are coordinating efforts to organise evacuations and minimise the consequences of the aggression.
Source: National Police of Ukraine.
