Since 2014, real military operations have been going on in Ukraine. Anti-terrorist operation or civil war? ATO zone, what is it? A constantly expanding territory, in which millions of people live. Who are they, what do they live with and what is happening in the ATO zone?
The beginning of the anti-terrorist operation in the Donbass
It all started with protests in eastern Ukraine, where most residents of Donbass did not support the coup that took place earlier in Kiev. In connection with the seizure of administrative buildings and the proclamation of the people's republics, Alexander Turchinov, who at that time was acting president, initiated the start of an anti-terrorist operation.
Over the next weeks, a significant part of the territories of Donetsk and Lugansk region came under the control of the rebels, led by Igor Strelkov (Girkin) and other commanders. However, most of the military units located in these territories remained faithful to the Ukrainian state.
How borders are changing
The first time of confrontation with hot spots in the east were the cities of Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Mariupol, Lugansk. In the Kharkiv region, protests were suppressed almost immediately. In the summer of 2014, one can observe how the so-called ATO zone decreases. What is the success of the Ukrainian power structures or the tactical retreat of the militia? Analysts still argue about this. Meanwhile, the Donbass militia leaves Slavyansk, surrenders Artyomovsk without a fight and strengthens in Donetsk, Gorlovka and other nearby cities, and also successfully maintains control over them for a long time.
At the end of the summer, the militia forces achieved certain successes in the war with the Ukrainian security forces - they controlled the territories bordering Russia (Rostov Region). The militia also took several settlements located near the coast of the Sea of Azov.
Those who chose to leave the ATO zone did not see the nightmares that war brings. In February 2015, during the active phase of the hostilities, the militia forces managed to establish control over Debaltseve, Uglegorsk and other settlements.
Moving across internal borders
Beginning January 21, a special access regime is introduced in the Donbass - in fact, the ATO zone is being fenced off from Ukraine. What does this mean for people who, for one reason or another, need to cross the line of demarcation? Now, in order to cross the demarcation line, you need to have a special pass issued by special coordination groups working together with the bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Those who are in the territory controlled by Ukraine need to submit the necessary documents to the police station and wait until they are ready to enter the ATO zone. It is more difficult for people living in self-proclaimed republics to obtain a pass, because for this you need to get into the territory of Ukraine, and without permission it is impossible. In this case, you can leave the necessary documents at the AFU checkpoint, and after a while (10-14 days) return for the ready pass.
ATO zone or independent republics
For people living on opposite sides of the border within Ukraine, the territory in which hostilities or the so-called anti-terrorist operation are conducted has different meanings. The anti-terrorist operation zone, what are the lands seized by terrorists and mercenaries, or, although self-proclaimed, but still independent republics?
The Ukrainian state considers these territories to be its own, but those people who live there have long lost its support. From the very moment of declaring these lands as a zone of ATO, no social payments have been made here. Not to mention the fact that the vast majority of those living here are sure that the Ukrainian army is at war against the civilian population.
In Gorlovka, everything collapsed in mid-July 2014, when the first bells of an impending war rang. Then tanks began to drive through the streets, roadblocks appeared everywhere, many enterprises closed, and people were sent on indefinite unpaid leave. And a little later, shelling, the first destruction and casualties.
So live
One can sometimes hear that the anti-terrorist operation zone in Ukraine is perceived by some people as territory captured by terrorists and Russian regular troops. But this is not so - the local fighters are ordinary people who lived peacefully yesterday, but today they decided to take up arms in order to defend their views on life. And ordinary people call themselves separatists and are even proud of it.
When the war began, many left here. Many remained and survived as best they could, for this they had to travel to Ukraine, reissue pension benefits, stock up on food, because in the republics due to the crisis, prices jumped sharply, and at first many products completely disappeared from the shelves. After the introduction of access control, it became more difficult, in fact, obtaining permission is not so simple. But since the well-being of people depends on this, they pay money, give bribes and receive passes to the anti-terrorist operation zone.
And here it is customary to sit in the basement. Not always, of course. And this has its advantages - people have become friendlier, more united, have learned to help each other, not paying attention to their own problems.