Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00 (Moscow time), 25 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 decreased 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 20 staff members, consisting of 18 permanent international observers (incl. the Chief Observer) and two first-responders. Four staff members are currently on leave.
Cross-border movements common to both BCPs
The profile of the people crossing the border remains unchanged and can be categorized 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 continued to decrease overall from 6,648 to 6,343 per day for both BCPs during the reporting period compared to last week. Less people entered the Russian Federation than Ukraine. The average net flow (i.e. the balance of entries and exits) was minus 184 per day for both BCPs showing a clear reversal of the movement trends at the border. Over the reporting period, 1,290 people have returned to Ukraine through the two 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, predominantly in the Rostov region.
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. In addition to regular bus connections, the OTs also continued to observe irregular bus connection like Luhansk-Kharkiv. Due to military activity in the area of the bus connections, these routes continue to be temporarily redirected through the Russian Federation.
During the reporting period, the OTs observed 546 men and women in military-style dress crossing the border in both directions. These people have been crossing individually or in groups. Ninety 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 Ukrainian cars with “DPR/LPR” stickers on their license plates replacing the Ukrainian flag.
During the reporting week the OTs observed several occasions at the Donetsk BCP vehicles crossing with full of boxes and bags. The customs checks are quick and mostly performed visually. On some occasions these vehicles were driven or accompanied by persons dressed in military-style clothing.
People crossing the border are less talkative than previously. Only on one occasion the OT had an opportunity to have a discussion with one man dressed in military-style clothing. He informed the OT about receiving help from the Russian Federation in order to support their activities.
On 22 February, on one occasion the OT observed Russian border officials stop a man dressed in military-style driving a car registered in the Rostov region. This man had a flare-gun in his possession and the OT observed the man’s two-hour long explanations of what this gun was about, including one real shot demonstration in the direction of the snowy fields north of the BCP. The flare-gun was taken by the Russian border guards and placed in a transparent sealed plastic bag and taken inside the main building. The man’s car was searched thoroughly, including with a dog. Paperwork was filled and eventually the man was able to leave the BCP. The OT could not observe whether the flare-gun was returned. Six hours passed between the arrival and the departure of the flare-gun’s owner.
During the reporting week, the OTs observed tanker trucks crossing the border both ways. These crossings occurred at both BCPs. These trucks for the most part had the word “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in Russian.
Military movement
At the two BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from the usual vehicles of the Russian Federation Border Guard Service.
Observation at the Gukovo BCP
The traffic flow at the Gukovo BCP decreased compared to last week. A daily average of 1,662 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for approximately eight percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. Compared to last week less people entered the Russian Federation. The net flow went from plus 47 (i.e. more exits from Russian Federation) to minus 55 on average per day.
During the week, the OM observed a total of 55 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 21 of whom left for Ukraine while 34 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 trains passing by the BCP on thirteen occasions during the reporting week; the OTs estimated that six trains were going to Ukraine; six were bound for the Russian Federation. It was not possible to identify the direction of one train. Visual observation of the trains was not possible.
During the reporting week, the OT heard artillery shots on five different days. On six occasions, the sound came from the north-west. On nine occasions, the sound came from the south-west. On three occasions the direction of the shots was not recognized. It was not the first time that shootings were heard coming from these directions.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP decreased compared to last week. The daily average of 4,681 entries and exits accounted for approximately twenty four percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from plus 362 (i.e. more entering the Russian Federation) to minus 129 on average per day that shows a clear reverse flow in the cross-border movement.
The OT observed 491 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups; 257 persons entered the Russian Federation while 234 left for Ukraine. The largest group observed by the OTs was a group of 13 people dressed in military-style, which crossed from the Russian Federation into Ukraine in one van.
During the reporting week, the OT heard the sound of artillery on 20 February and was identified to have come from the north-west.
Over the past week, the OTs observed five ambulances at BCP Donetsk. OTs could not observe if there were wounded or sick people in the ambulance. In two instances, OTs observed injured people. One was wearing military-style clothing and crossed from Ukraine to Russian Federation. The person had a bandage around his head and on one of his left fingers. He was trying to hide or protect his wound with the hood of his jacket. The other had a head injury as well but he was transported with a vehicle registered in Ukraine and driven by a man dressed in military-style clothing.
CONVOY
On 20 February 2015 at 07:00hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk BCP. The OM was not warned of the coming of this convoy and only found out about it when it arrived at the BCP gate. The 15 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services. Ukrainian officers were not present on site. The same number of vehicles crossed back into the Russian Federation at 16:05hrs the same day.