Citizens who remain in the occupied territories are practically cut off medical services. Institutions are being closed, there is a shortage of doctors, and the delivery of medicine from the territories controlled by Ukraine is prohibited.

All equipment provided since 2014 under the programmes of international donors and the government of Ukraine was taken by the occupiers from the Infection Department in Starobilsk (Luhansk region). Among the seized equipment are ventilators required for critical cases of COVID-19.