You're reading: Markets, logistics centers open in war zone

The Humanitarian Logistic Center for people who live in Russian-occupied territories of Donetsk Oblast opened on Aug. 28 at the Zaytsevo checkpoint near Artemivsk.

It is the first of three logistics
centers to be constructed near the Ukrainian checkpoints in Donetsk Oblast.

Donetsk Oblast governor Pavlo Zhebrivsky
said the centers will provide food and medical supplies and speed the process
of border crossings between Ukrainian-controlled and Russian-occupied areas of
Ukraine.

“There will be cash machines and a
currency exchange so that people could pick up money and buy essential goods
for prices two-three times cheaper than in occupied parts of Donetsk Oblast,”
Zhebrivsky said.

President Petro Poroshenko approved
the idea.

“We made that center for ordinary
Donetsk families. That’s how the government throws a lifeline to Ukrainians who
decided to stay in the temporarily occupied territory. That is how we tell
people that Ukraine loves them and waits for them,” Zhebrivsky said during the
opening of the humanitarian logistics center at Zaytsevo checkpoint on Aug. 28.

However, journalist RamilZamdykhanov
who lives with his family in Donetsk, is skeptical.

“I’ve heard about Zhebrivsky’s
creation but do not understand its necessity,” he told the Kyiv Post via
Facebook messenger.“I think it is his promotional campaign. If not, why
shouldn’t they just resume imports of goods to the zone? That would be smarter.”

He said prices are high in the
occupied zone, including twice as much for chicken.

In spring, Ukraine limited the
transportation of goods to the war zone, bringing them under the control of the
Security Service of Ukraine. Alcohol and cigarette transfers are banned

The Donetsk governor said the
centers are safe.

“The center is located on territory
controlled by Ukraine. It is 15 kilometers away from the mercenaries. And there
will be OSCE and Red Cross representatives, who will work there. So I think if
they (gunmen) attack, that would be an action beyond common sense,” Zhebrivsky told
the Kyiv Post by phone.

Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman
for military sector S, said the center would be defended by National Guardsmen and
police officers.

“We made everything to prevent
smuggling and illegal business. People will be allowed to buy only for
themselves. That is five kilos of goods per person,” said Zhebrivsky.

The logistics center is open 9 a.m.-6
p.m. It was built mostly by money from volunteers and donations by the business
communities in Artemivsk and Kostyantinivsk districts and Kramatorsk.

“We can’t calculate the spending.
People and firms helped us with vehicles, gravel and other stuff. The
government allocated money only for asphalt,” said Zhebrivsky.

The next humanitarian logistics
center will open in Novotroitsk district, but no date has been specified.

Kyiv Post writer Veronika Melkozerova can be
reached at [email protected]