End of ATO: A Special Order Takes Effect in Donbas

Photo from Ukrinform–UATV

A special order takes effect today, April 30, according to the decision of the president of Ukraine, to start the joint forces operation in Donbas.

This means that the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas has officially ceased and given way to the joint forces operation. This is reported by Ukrinform, with reference to the text of the order given by the press center of the joint forces operation.

The security zone is: Vynohradne, Kurakhove, Ocheretiane, Rozivka, Vovcheiarivka, Bila Hora, Novoaidar, Sadky, Makarivka, Prostiane, along the administrative border of Luhansk and Kharkiv regions, Olhivka, along the administrative border of Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, Znamenivka, along the administrative border of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions, Komyshuvakha, along the administrative border of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, Urzuf and Prymorske.

“In the security zone, by the decision of the commander of the united forces, areas of restricted and unauthorized access may be created. The area of combat operations is the area covered by military operations along the contact line, where the units of the armed forces, other military formations and law-enforcement agencies, carry out combat missions, to prevent the enemy from penetrating into the territory of the state,” reads the statement by the press center of the joint forces.

The movement of people in the security zone will be divided into three categories: green, where the stay and movement of persons are not limited, except for the areas of restricted access; yellow, where the stay and movement of persons are carried out with documents, and there are personal inspections of citizens and vehicles; red, where the stay of persons is temporarily restricted or prohibited. Citizens and officials are allowed to enter this area only with passes, issued by the commander of the joint forces. Vehicles and pedestrians are not allowed to enter particular areas and facilities in the “red” zone.

Entrance into the areas of ​​operation, and of restricted and prohibited access, is allowed only through checkpoints, defined by the joint forces.

The grounds for admission to the area of the joint forces operation for civilians are: persons or relatives residing in the operation areas; the burial sites of relatives or family members; the death of close relatives or family members in the operation zones; the ownership of real estate; the need to fulfill diplomatic or consular functions; the performance of functions within the framework of the activities of international organizations; the release from places of imprisonment; the availability of special passes, labor and scientific activities; training, cultural or religious purposes; health improvement, and the accompaniment of children to educational institutions.

A person may be denied entry if she or he is suspected of committing a criminal offense, when the passport is forged or someone else’s, and when there is a real threat to life and health.

Also, servicemen and law-enforcers are allowed to:

• Use weapons, including rockets and artillery, in case of extreme emergencies.
• Detain and deliver persons to the National Police.
• Verify documents of citizens and officials.
• Carry out inspections of citizens and their belongings.
• Temporarily restrict or prohibit the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on streets.
• Enter residential and other premises.
• Check vehicles to ensure national security and defense.
• Restrain armed aggression by the Russian Federation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Use means of communication and vehicles, including special ones owned by citizens, enterprises, institutions and organizations, with the exception of vehicles owned by diplomatic, consular and other representatives of foreign states and international organizations, for official purposes.
• Clear mines.
• Conduct combat and operational training.
• Respond to natural and man-made emergencies .

The new operation will be headed by the commander of the joint forces, Serhii Naiev, who will manage the preparation and guidance of all defense forces. His main task is to “liberate the territory from invaders and protect the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” said minister of defense, Stepan Poltorak.