Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00 (Moscow time), 4 February 2015
This report is for media and the general public.
SUMMARY
Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both BCPs. Overall cross-border traffic flows slightly increased at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The OM continued to observe a number of persons in military-style clothing crossing the border in both directions.
DETAIL
OM’s staff composition
The OM is currently operating with 18 staff members, consisting of 15 permanent international observers (incl. the Chief Observer), two temporary international observers and one administrative assistant. Five international observers are currently on leave.
Cross-border movements common to both BCPs
The profile of the people crossing the border remains unchanged and can be categorised as follows:
- Families on foot or by car with a lot of luggage;
- Elderly people with few bags;
- Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
- People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks.
The average number of entries/exits slightly increased from 6,565 to 6,632 per day for both BCPs during the reporting period. More people entered the Russian Federation than Ukraine. The average net flow (i.e. the balance of entries and exits) was plus 680 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for 32 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border have number plates issued in the Luhansk region, including the long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk and cities in the Russian Federation.
Common observations at the BCPs
The situation at both BCPs remained calm. The OM continued to observe that the Russian Federation border guard and customs service conducted checks and controls.
Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation. The Observer Teams (OTs) observed more and more people on the buses arriving from Ukraine than leaving the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, OTs observed two unusual bus connections: Rovenky (Luhansk Oblast) – Kharkiv, and Luhansk-Kharkiv. The first bus connection was observed to cross twice at the Gukovo BCP once each way. The second bus connection was observed to cross into the Russian Federation once. The OTs talked to passengers of one of the busses and a driver of another bus. They informed the OTs that, due to military activity in the area of the bus connections, these routes were temporarily redirected through the Russian Federation. Instead of a direct 330 kilometre ride, people have to travel more than 750 kilometres to reach Kharkiv.
During the reporting period, the OTs observed 476 men and women in military-style dress crossing the border in both directions. These people have been crossing individually or in groups. Ninety three percent of border crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. The OTs continued to observe a number of Cossacks, who were identified by their traditional hats, as well as by Cossack insignias. Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe cars with “DPR/LPR” stickers on their licence plates replacing the Ukrainian flag.
People crossing the border in particular at BCP Donetsk continued to approach the OTs to share their stories, experiences and observations from the Ukrainian side of the border. People continued to tell the OTs that they no longer felt safe in their homes and were crossing the border into the Russian Federation to escape war, and protect their children, families. Many of those crossing the border looked visibly upset, some children and even adults were crying.
Military movement
At the two BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from vehicles of the Russian Federation Border Guard Service.
Observation at the Gukovo BCP
The traffic flow at the Gukovo BCP decreased ever so slightly compared to last week. A daily average of 1,867 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for approximately nine percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. Compared to last week more people entered the Russian Federation. The net flow went from plus 91 (i.e. more exits from Ukraine) to plus 102 on average per day.
During the week, the OM observed a total of 33 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 15 of whom left for Ukraine while 18 entered the Russian Federation.
As in previous weeks, the OM observed dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation. As reported previously, the observers saw Russian Federation customs officers verifying that the trucks were empty while leaving the Russian Federation.
The OTs picked up on the sound of a train passing by the BCP on eight occasions during the reporting week; the OTs estimated that five trains were going to Ukraine and three were bound for the Russian Federation. Visual observation of the trains was not possible.
During the reporting week, the OT heard the sound of single explosions on four separate occasions during a time span of about an hour. The sound came from the north-west. On a different day the OT heard the sound of short shooting coming from the north-west.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP slightly increased. The daily average of 4,765 entries and exits accounted for approximately 23 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from plus 707 (i.e. more entering the Russian Federation) to plus 578 on average per day which describes a slowing down of the number of people crossing from Ukraine and to the Russian Federation.
The OT observed 443 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups, 248 persons entered the Russian Federation while 195 left for Ukraine.
For the first time since the signing of the Minsk Protocol on 5 September, the OTs heard on three occasions the sound of artillery shelling coming from a west-north-west direction. On two separate occasions the OT heard a single signal fire (light) shot and a single rifle shot both coming from the north-west.
Six ambulances were observed crossing the BCP during the reporting week. One crossed into the Russian Federation, later the same day it crossed back into Ukraine. One came to the BCP from the Russian Federation side, stayed in the customs area and returned to the Russian Federation 20 minutes later. Another one crossed to Ukraine and returned to the Russian Federation 30 minutes later. The fourth one crossed the border into the Russian Federation. The fifth ambulance arrived from the Russian Federation, two minutes later the sixth ambulance arrived from Ukraine. After border and customs procedures an injured person clad in military clothes was transferred from the Ukrainian ambulance into the Russian ambulance. His left arm and shoulder were wrapped in white bandage. Soon after the Russian ambulance returned to the Russian Federation and the other ambulance returned to Ukraine.
For the first time at the Donetsk BCP the OT picked up the sound of a train coming from the south-south-west. The sound lasted twelve minutes. It was neither possible to observe the train nor establish its direction.
CONVOY
Summary
On 31 January 2015 at 08:00 (Moscow time), a Russian convoy consisting of 90 vehicles arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). Cargo trucks were inspected by the Russian border guards and customs services in the presence of Ukrainian Border and Customs officers. All the vehicles crossed back into the Russian Federation at 21:20 on January 31.