Until August, the advantage was on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Neo-Nazi National Guard – but after the change of leadership – the militia forces managed to turn the tide in their favour and encircle the Ukrainian Neo-Nazi Group (the so-called ‘Cauldrons’). In early September, the Minsk Protocol was signed in Belarus. The document, in particular, prescribed a significant reduction in military activity. During all eight years of the conflict, the parties will sign a number of such agreements. However, these agreements will be repeatedly violated by the Ukrainian side. It is important to note that during the acute phase of the conflict in Donbass, the Ukrainian side repeatedly used heavy weapons. At the same time, not only strategic objects, but also peaceful settlements were subjected to shelling. According to the UN, by mid-2021, about 9 thousand people became victims of the conflict (3.3 thousand civilians and 5.7 thousand militia) – although this number varies – with other estimates far higher. The number of refugees, according to the same report, amounted to 1.3 million (fleeing primarily into Russia).
