17.05.22 Russian invasion of Ukraine: Daily Digest | Civilians
Daily Chronicle of Russian Invasion
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Civilian Statistics as of 17.05
Confirmed victims among civilians: 3,752 dead (250 of which were children), and 4,062 injured (365 of which were children) — Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;
Victims among the children: 229 dead and 423 injured — Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine;
6,266,844 refugees have left Ukraine — UNHCR;
8,029,000 internal refugees (as of 03.05.2022) — IOM;
1,772 educational institutions damaged, 161 of which fully destroyed — Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine;
600 medical facilities damaged, 101 of which fully destroyed (as of 11.05.2022) — Ministry of Health of Ukraine;
Over 38,000 residential buildings damaged (as of 12.05.2022) – Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights;
331 war crimes against cultural heritage have been recorded (114 of them are religious buildings) as of 14.05.2022 — Ministry of Culture and Information Policy;
108,323 total explosive objects neutralized since the beginning of Russia's large-scale military invasion (as for 16.05.2022) — Emergency Service.
Russians hold around 3000 Mariupol residents in a“filtration prison”
Russian invaders are holding more than 3000 Mariupol civilians in a "filtration prison" situated at the former penal colony No. 52 in the village of Olenivka of the Donetsk region. This was reported by Liudmyla Denisova, Ukrainian ombudswoman.
According to her data, among the detained, there are about 30 volunteers who were trying to bring humanitarian aid to Mariupol and rescue residents. Before being sent to the colony, the Russians subject the captives to hours of interrogation and torture with electric shocks.
The term "filtration", i.e. duration of the stay in the colony, is 30 days. For the "especially unreliable" — activists, former military personnel, and law enforcement officers — it continues for another month.
According to Denisova, the invaders introduced the so-called "filtration" procedure in every temporarily occupied Ukrainian town.
Source: Ombudswoman; Ukrinform, government-owned media
Over 1,3 million Ukrainians were deported to Russia
This was reported by the Ombudswoman of Ukraine, Liudmyla Denisova, during an online meeting with UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
"The key topic for discussion with the UNHCR chief was the forced deportation to Russia of more than 1,300,000 Ukrainians, including 223,000 children. I have clarified that long before the full-scale military invasion, the Russian Federation was preparing to deport Ukrainian citizens to its territory.“
According to the Ombudswoman, the construction of temporary accommodation for the forcefully misplaced Ukrainians was ordered to Russian Federal districts beforehand.
”I have documentary evidence of this with the addresses, names of responsible persons, and the number of accommodation slots in each. Today, 33% of places in Russia are not yet filled, so they are obviously not going to stop.”
The UN Commissioner confessed that UN Refugee Agency is currently helpless, with no access to Ukrainians in the territory of Russian Federation. ”Even the agreement with the Russian Red Cross does not provide such an opportunity. Its implementation is limited to the transfer of humanitarian aid to the temporary accommodation of deported Ukrainians in four regions of Russia.”
Source: Ombudswoman; Ukrinform, government-owned media
Mass graves of civilians, killed by Russians, were discovered in the Kyiv region
In Makariv, Bucha district, the bodies of the three men were found in a grave at the roadside, where the Russian positions were located during hostilities. Near the grave, police also found a tripwire with an F-1 grenade, left there by the Russian military. This was reported by Andrii Niebytov, the Head of the Kyiv region police.
"Two people were shot in the head, one person in the stomach. The documents of one of them were found at the burial site — this was a Czech citizen. The other two men are currently unidentified, but they were in civilian clothes. We will investigate the circumstances of their disappearance," commented Niebytov.
In the Vyshhorod district, the body of another man was found near the village of Rakivka. It was established that the deceased was an operative of the internal affairs bodies in retirement. During the occupation, the man went out to get firewood and did not return. As it turned out, the Russian soldiers undressed the man and shot him. The body was buried in a field near Russian positions.
"This is yet another fact that confirms that the Russian military kidnapped people even from their own homes. Forensic experts found traces of torture on the body of the deceased. The presence of gunshot wounds in the torso area was also clearly recorded," Niebytov said.
Source: Head of Kyiv Region Police Department; Suspilne, public broadcasting company
Russians demand to start a tourist season in the occupied territories of the Kherson region
In the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region, Russian invaders are forcing entrepreneurs to organize a tourist season on the Arabat Spit, as reported by Liudmyla Denisova, Ukrainian ombudswoman.
“The sanatoriums and recreation centers in the temporarily occupied Crimea are full of wounded Russian soldiers brought in from mainland Ukraine. Therefore, the invaders decided to arrange their recreation in the resort areas of the temporarily occupied Kherson region," the report reads.
According to Denisova, "local entrepreneurs are forced to open recreation centers, cafes, stores and "create safe and comfortable conditions" for holidaymakers."
At the same time, the ombudswoman noted, that the Arabat Spit borders the occupied peninsula, used by the aggressor as a military base to attack mainland Ukraine. So, the fighter jets, helicopters, and missiles will be flying literally over the heads of the “tourists”.
Denisova stressed that "the environmental situation in the waters of the Sea of Azov is a serious concern, too, because of the Russian war against Ukraine.”
Source: Ombudswoman; Ukrinform, government-owned media
Kadyrov’s men are to be in charge of the “reconstruction” of Mariupol
Ukrainian authorities received indirect confirmation that the Russians plan to give over the destroyed Mariupol to Kadyrov’s men, as reported by Petro Andriushchenko, advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol.
"Little by little it all comes together, it becomes clear, what Russians plan to do with Mariupol, and who will be the so-called "supervisor of the reconstruction". Our sources from Ivashchenko's entourage (gauleiter appointed by the occupiers — ed.) reported about "patronage" from Chechnia. This is because Mariupol turned out to be too “unfriendly” and nationalistic. Therefore, to intimidate and suppress resistance, they plan to give the city over to the Kadyrov’s men. Including the port and giving them the right to loot. We now record a partial confirmation."
Andriushchenko noted, that on May 17, a meeting was first held with the occupation administration, State Duma official Sablin (curator of the occupation of Mariupol since 2014), Adam Delimkhanov, and Akhmed Dolgaev, who are essentially part of the political power in Chechnia. They discussed plans to "restore Mariupol."
"The Kadyrov’s men behaved like masters, and the very schedule of the meeting was more like an assessment and inventory of what was left, rather than discussion of the "plans for reconstruction," points out the mayor's advisor.
Source: Advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol
Yet another piece of evidence of Russian war crimes in Kharkiv region
State Security Service has published a fragment of an intercepted conversation, featuring a Russian occupier and his father.
The soldier brags about torturing captured Ukrainians: "Took two prisoners. Cut off one’s ear — he didn't want to talk. He’s lucky we didn't put a bullet in his forehead or didn't quarter him with an APV. We could just shoot a box of machine gun ammo, 100 rounds, and riddle him with bullets. We could chop off his fingers.“
He’s excited to tell how Russian artillery “covered” a peaceful village in the Kharkiv region so they could loot it after.
The occupier’s father is happy to hear his son is involved in the genocide of a peaceful population.
Source: State Security Service
Mass Russian shelling along the front line in the Donetsk region does not cease
"The Russians never stopped the mass shelling along the entire front line — from Vuhledar to Bakhmut” Pavlo Kyrylenko, the Head of the Donetsk Region Military Administration posted on his Telegram channel and published photos and video of the destruction.
Kyrylenko also informed about a morning air strike in Avdiivka, where three residential buildings were damaged. There was no information about casualties.
In the Mariinka, the city of Krasnohorivka was de-energized as a result of Russian shelling. Repair works are being carried out.
The head also noted that constant shelling tormented the Ocheretyne community. Due to the danger, it has not yet been possible to fully restore the high-voltage line that was damaged earlier.
In Bakhmut, as a result of the morning shelling, the structures of a five-story house were destroyed. From under the debris, a seriously injured 9-year-old was rescued. So far, there is one dead, but the State Emergency Service workers are still dismantling the rubble. In addition, school No. 4 and several infrastructure facilities were damaged.
In the Mykolaivka community, Russian shells broke the power line — a part of the town of Raihorodok was left without power supply — repair works continue.
"Though in the Toretsk direction the firing does not stop, in the community we are conducting the evacuation of the residents and restoring power and gas supply. Vuhledar was hit again today — there is no information about casualties or damage," Kyrylenko wrote.
Source: Head of Donetsk Regional Military Administration
Russians keep shelling civilian settlements in the Luhansk region
Serhii Haidai, the Head of the Luhansk Region Military Administration updated on the situation in the local settlements.
In Sievierodonetsk, Russians shelled two hospital blocks and the building of "Impulse" Research and Production Association. There were airstrikes in Popasna community, too. In total, there are ten killed and three wounded civilians throughout the region, including the residents of Hirske, Zolote and Borivske.
In the morning, the enemy once again opened fire at Sievierodonetsk City General Hospital and damaged two more blocks. Research and Production Association "Impulse”, known for its developments all over the world was shelled as well. A building materials store and four high-rises were also destroyed. Four more houses — in Rubizne, two — in Lysychansk. Villages of the Popasna community suffered at least two airstrikes. Three houses were destroyed in Vrubivka, four in Komyshuvaha, and four more in Novozvanivka and Troitske (two houses in each). In the Hirska community, three houses were destroyed, too.
Due to artillery shelling, nine houses in Hirske and six in Zolote were damaged. Notably, Russians had to retreat while storming the Hirska community and Syrotyne village near Sievierodonetsk. Enemy losses are numerous.
Source: Head of Luhansk Regional Military Administration
An evacuation bus came under shelling in the Luhansk region, no casualties
A total of 73 people were evacuated from the Luhansk region on May 17, despite the fact that the evacuation bus came under fire from "Grad" MLRS. This was reported by the Head of the Luhansk Region Military Administration Serhii Haidai.
"On May 17, 33 residents of Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk were evacuated, six of them are children. The bus came under fire because the highway is still shelled by Russians. They opened fire from “Grad” MLRS. Fortunately, there were no casualties. People are already safe. In addition, today we saved the lives of 10 people from Vrubivka and 32 people from Hirske community. A total of 73 people", — wrote Haidai in his Telegram channel.
He noted, that more and more people express the wish to evacuate, dozens of residents every day. However, now the evacuation has to be conducted under constant shelling.
Source: Head of Luhansk Regional Military Administration
Russians hit Desna with missiles: many dead and wounded
On the morning of May 17, a missile strike was launched on the village of Desna in the Chernihiv region, killing and wounding. This was reported by Viacheslav Chaus, the Head of the Chernihiv Region Military Administration.
"Early in the morning, the enemy launched missile strikes on the village of Desna. Rescuers and law enforcement agencies are working there. Preliminarily reports say there are dead and many wounded."
The shelling occurred around 5 AM, with four missiles launched from an aircraft, two of which hit the building.
As of 12:00 PM, it is known about eight people killed in the airstrike. Another 12 are known to be injured, according to the data of the State Emergency Service in the Chernihiv region.
Source: Head of Chernihiv Regional Military Administration; Suspilne, public broadcasting company
Knauf Ukraine plant was destroyed as a result of Russian airstrike
In the Donetsk region, Russian invaders carried out an airstrike on Knauf Ukraine, a leading manufacturer of building and finishing materials. Rescuers are trying to contain the fire. This was reported by the Head of the Donetsk Region Military Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko.
He noted that, fortunately, no one was injured.
"Once again, the Russians are attacking an exclusively civilian facility. They are deliberately destroying the Donbas industry, trying to lay to waste what has been built up over years and decades. But they haven't taken into account how ardent the Ukrainians are. We will prevail. We will win our freedom back. We will rebuild everything," emphasized Kyrylenko.
Source: Head of Donetsk Regional Military Administration
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