A/HRC/41/CRP.2 III. Impact of hostilities “When the shelling starts at night, I put him to bed and tell him it is just rain drops falling.” - A woman on how she explains the hostilities to her four-year-old grandchild in Oleksandrivka 23. During the reporting period, hostilities continued to affect, directly or indirectly, the lives of 3.9 million civilians residing in the conflict zone of eastern Ukraine.17 Regular exchanges of fire across the contact line continue to expose those residing nearby to a constant threat of death or injury, while their civilian property and critical civilian infrastructure continued to be damaged, often in disregard for the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. In addition to the threat of shelling, civilians continued to be at risk from mines and explosive remnants of war. OHCHR continued to observe the presence of military personnel or objects within, or near, populated areas on both sides of the contact line. Over the reporting period, OHCHR documented nine cases in which Ukrainian forces established a presence in, or near, residential areas. For instance, in Verkhnotoretske (Donetsk region), OHCHR observed trenches belonging to Ukrainian forces approximately 15 metres from the nearest inhabited house.18 Over the reporting period, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (OSCE SMM) identified at least 10 cases of military positions or weapons in or near residential areas in territory controlled by ‘Donetsk people’s republic and ‘Luhansk people’s republic’. For instance, in Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr) in Donetsk region, OSCE SMM observed three tanks close to a probable mortar position next to houses.19 24. OHCHR recalls in this regards that placement of military positions in and near residential areas puts civilians and civilian objects at increased risk of being affected and may amount to a violation of international humanitarian law. A. Conduct of hostilities and civilian casualties 25. Between 16 February and 15 May 2019, OHCHR recorded 45 conflict-related civilian casualties: 10 killed20 and 35 injured,21 a 181 per cent increase compared with the previous reporting period of 16 November 2018 to 15 February 2019 when 16 civilian casualties (two killed and 14 injured) were recorded. The number of locations where civilian casualties were recorded increased from 11 to 28. The reporting period saw the lowest number of civilian casualties compared with same calendar periods (mid-February to mid-May) from 2015 to 2018. 17 18 19 20 21 Estimated population of Donetsk and Luhansk regions on both sides of the contact line, See MultiYear Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) 2019-2020. OHCHR, field visits, 12 February and 4 April 2019. OSCE SMM daily report, 20 March 2019. Six men, three woman and a boy. Twenty-two men, 10 women, two boys and one girl. 9