**Thousands of Civilians Trapped in Eastern Ukraine’s Combat Zones**
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, a staggering number of civilians remain trapped in the combat zones of Donetsk Oblast. According to Dmytro Petlin, head of the Department of Civil Protection, Mobilization, and Defense Work of the local military administration, at least 21,700 civilians, including 115 children, are still living in these active combat areas.
Most of these children, a total of 115, are located in the Lyman urban territorial community. The Donetsk Oblast Military Administration has classified 18 communities as active combat zones, where fighting is ongoing and civilians are at risk. These areas include Shakhovsk, Maryinka, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, Chasiv Yar, Bakhmut, Soledar, Zvaniv, Siversk, Illinivsk, Kostiantynivka, Udachne, Lyman, Hrodivka, Kurakhove, Ocheretynske, and Novoselivka.
**Ukraine’s Evacuation Efforts**
Despite the challenges, Ukraine has managed to evacuate over 1.2 million civilians from their permanent residences in Donetsk Oblast. Among them are approximately 194,000 children and 47,000 people with disabilities. In the past week alone, more than 7,800 people, including 380 children, have been evacuated from the region.
**Diplomatic Efforts Gaining Momentum**
As tensions persist in the region, diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war appear to be gaining momentum. President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that discussions are underway on both bilateral and trilateral summits. The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to take place soon.
**Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds**
The situation in Donetsk Oblast is dire, with thousands of civilians trapped in combat zones. The humanitarian crisis unfolding here is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of war on innocent lives. As the international community continues to work towards a resolution, it’s essential that we prioritize the safety and well-being of these civilians.
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