Starting Monday, September 2nd, all banking institutions in Pokrovsk, a city under constant threat of Russian attacks, will cease operations. The city, which was once one of the key centers in Donetsk region, is now forced to adapt to the conditions of war. Vadym Filashkin, the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, announced on the National Telethon that starting in September, only ATMs will be operational in the city.
This means that residents will lose access to many financial services, such as opening accounts, receiving consultations, or conducting complex banking transactions.
Consequences of Increased Shelling
The decision to suspend the operations of banking institutions was made in the context of intensified shelling by Russian occupiers. According to Filashkin, the city endures up to 2,500 shelling attacks from various types of weapons daily. This makes the situation extremely dangerous for both residents and bank employees. In such conditions, banking institutions become vulnerable targets, increasing the risks for everyone in the city.
Curfew and Evacuation
Due to the threat of constant shelling, a curfew has been imposed in Pokrovsk, lasting from 3:00 PM to 11:00 AM. This severely restricts residents’ movement and forces them to stay in shelters for most of the day. Despite the threat, about 38,000 people, including 1,900 children, still remain in the city. Before the full-scale invasion, the city had a population of over 80,000, including up to 13,000 children.
Context and Consequences
The closure of banking institutions in Pokrovsk is just part of the broader trend of infrastructure shutdowns in regions under constant threat of attacks. Amid the escalation of the conflict, many other services providing essential support to the population are also forced to halt their operations. This leads to a deterioration in living conditions for local residents who are compelled to stay in the city due to various circumstances.
Further Development of Events
The situation in Pokrovsk remains tense at the moment, and the further development of events will depend on the military situation in the region. Bank closures and other institutions shutting down could lead to a larger-scale evacuation of the population or a deepening humanitarian crisis in the region.
It is important to note that many residents continue to leave Pokrovsk due to deteriorating living conditions and constant danger. However, some residents choose to stay in the city, trying to maintain a normal standard of living in the conditions of war, as much as possible.
