However from 2014-2016, Stanytsia Luhanska was targeted by intense shelling from weapons of all
people.28 Extreme weather conditions and stress have even led to several deaths. Only in fall 2019,
types and calibers, causing significant damage to its infrastructure and housing. The residential quarter
was the bridge repaired and the road leading from the EECP to the bridge paved. Still, it is not open
around Lomonosov and Lebedinsky streets was particularly affected. From 13,774 inhabitants as of
for vehicles. However, a bus and two electric cars of the United Nations Refugy Agency UNHCR carry
January 201422, the population of Stanytsia had dropped to approximately 7,200 by August 201523.
individuals with limited mobility over the approximately 800 meters that divide the Ukrainian EECP from the bridge.29
Meanwhile, most of the houses that are still inhabited, have been repaired. The whole part of the town that faces the frontline has new roofs. Still, the traces of war are more visible here than in any other
Approximately 10-15,000 people cross the EECP in Stanytsia Luhanska every day. Although there are no
urban settlement of Luhansk district. Housing reconstruction in Stanytsia Luhanska has been possible
official statistics on population numbers, sources in the district administration say that approximately
mainly due to international aid.
10,000 people currently live in Stanytsia (January 2020). Two small medical points operate during the
The Bridge
opening hours of the EECP – one before and one after the Ukrainian passport control post.
Conditions for civil society
Even in the midst of crossfire, pedestrians and public transport continued to pass over the last bridge between Stanytsia and Luhansk. In early 2015, the Ukrainian administration closed the bridge to traffic.24
Stanytsia Luhanska has a district administration, three schools, several banks, and a hospital. The
On March 19, 2015, it was heavily damaged in a severe shootout between the two sides, leaving Stanytsia
hospital, however, does not possess modern medical equipment. For advanced treatments, people go to
virtually cut off from its main market, Luhansk, which remained under the control of illegitimate
Luhansk or larger Ukrainian cities.
paramilitary units.25 Moreover, there is a House of Culture Later in 2015, the authorities established an official entry-exit checkpoint (EECP) across the heavily
with a library, a museum, and a sports
damaged bridge – the only one in the whole Luhansk region. Unlike the operating EECPs in Donetsk
stadium. The library was repeatedly
region, Stanytsia Luhanska only allows pedestrians to cross. The EECP constitutes a floodgate of people
hit by shelling and is currently under
crossing to visit relatives and friends, to buy and sell goods, but most importantly, to gain access to
renovation (see right picture).
Ukrainian pensions and other subsidies. In November 2014, Ukrainian authorities ceased to pay social benefits on non-government controlled territory. Until today, residents of the occupied territories have to
Numerous
register as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on government-controlled territory and personally verify
organisations are active in Stanytsia.
their identity in a bank every other month to receive pension or other subsidies.26 Consequently, senior
They mainly provide help with the
citizens are flocking into the town every workday to verify themselves, pick up their pension and go
maintenance and repair of houses
shopping. This so-called “pension tourism”27 has fundamentally changed the face of Stanytsia Luhanska,
and town institutions. Some offer
and causes tension and animosity not only from the locals in Stanytsia Luhanska who have to queue
humanitarian aid. The NGOs Proliska
in the banks among hundreds of residents from Luhansk and “LPR”, but also resentment from many
and Norwegian Refugee Council
Ukrainians who see them as opportunists taking advantage of the Ukrainian social system.
(NRC) have offices in Stanytsia.
The destroyed bridge people had to cross on foot remained a key humanitarian concern for several
Our respondents claim that cultural leisure time activities are needed. The fact that there are no
years. Although temporary wooden ramps were built by the International Committee of the Red Cross in
opportunities for joint activities and entertainment affects their psychological situation, they argue.
December 2017, crossing remained dangerous and troublesome, especially for the elderly and disabled
Particularly young people lack opportunities to meet and be inspired. Students try to organize activities
international
themselves. The settlement does not have a center for activists or a youth center. Vostok-SOS has tried to 22 23 24 25 26 27
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http://database.ukrcensus.gov.ua/PXWEB2007/ukr/publ_new1/2014/publ2014.asp https://www.austausch.org/files/DRA/Publikationen/Положение-гражданского-населения-в-отдельных-районах-донецкой-илуганской-областей.pdf, p.39 https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/war-against-ukraine/blast-destroys-river-bridge-in-ukraines-stanytsia-luhanska-383999.html https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/war-against-ukraine/blast-destroys-river-bridge-in-ukraines-stanytsia-luhanska-383999.html http://khpg.org/ru/index.php?id=1475581147#_Toc463056294 http://khpg.org/ru/index.php?id=1475581147#_Toc463056294
create activity centers and centers of legal aid, but has faced problems with funds for activities, as well as with finding experienced and responsible people to run such a center. 28 29
http://ua.icrc.org/2017/12/11/2319/ https://civicmonitoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/monitoringreport_disengagement_EN-1.pdf
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