Russia plans to spend over $12 million on developing “war tourism” in occupied eastern Ukraine

The administration of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” — an occupation authority installed by Moscow in Ukraine’s Donetsk Region — plans to invest more than 1 billion rubles (close to $12.3 million) in developing infrastructure for so-called “military-patriotic tourism” in the Russian-occupied part of Donbas, “DPR” official Kirill Makarov told the state-controlled news agency RIA Novosti.

According to Makarov, who was described as the “Deputy Prime Minister” of the “DPR,” a “large interagency tourism headquarters” has already been created to coordinate work on the project, with “war tourism” designated as a separate area of focus.

“The republic today is an association of places of military glory,” Makarov said. He added that tourists will be offered tours explaining the “history and background” of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, including designated routes and key sites with exhibits.

The occupation official acknowledged that much of the region’s hotel infrastructure has been destroyed, but said an inventory of surviving facilities is underway. Makarov described the initial 1 billion ruble outlay as being insufficient to the task and said he expects spending to increase. The source of funding for the project was not specified.

Russian forces currently control about 80% of Ukraine’s Donetsk Region, where many towns and cities have been heavily damaged or destroyed. As previously reported by The Insider, the area is also suffering from acute shortages of fuel and drinking water, with supplies available only for a few hours every three to four days.

In May of this year, Vladimir Putin called the Donbas “fertile ground for tourism development” and urged domestic business leaders to invest in the region. Speaking to members of the Delovaya Rossiya business association, he said the area offers “very attractive conditions,” including mortgage subsidies.