Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00 (Moscow time), 18 March 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. The overall cross-border traffic 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 22 staff members, consisting of 20 permanent international observers (incl. the Chief Observer) and two first-responders (one of which is an administrative assistant). Seven 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 categorised as follows:
- Families on foot or travelling by car, with a lot of luggage, often accompanied by elderly people;
- Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
- People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks, crossing on foot or in vehicles.
As compared to last week, the average number of entries/exits increased overall from 7,062 to 7,384 per day for both BCPs. The average net flow went from minus 355 to plus 65. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for just over 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 Observer Teams (OTs) also continued to observe bus connections unusual for the two BCPs: Luhansk-Kharkiv and Luhansk-Kiev. Often the buses do not state their direct route; instead they just have a sign in the window saying “Irregular”.
During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style dress crossing the border in both directions decreased from 681 to 617 at both BCPs. These people have been crossing individually or in groups and on foot or in vehicles. On one occasion at the BCP Donetsk the OT observed a group of 29 persons dressed in Gorka Hill military clothing cross the border from the Russian Federation to Ukraine by bus. One of these persons was an older male, the rest young males. Approximately ninety one 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 OM has observed an increased number of trucks crossing the border in both directions. The OTs continued to observe dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation through the BCP Gukovo. The OTs observed intense trailer truck traffic at BCP Donetsk crossing the border in both directions. The OTs also 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 slightly increased compared to last week. A daily average of 2,097 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for just over nine percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow went from minus 15 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation) to plus 119 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) 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, 23 of whom left for Ukraine while 32 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 running down the train tracks located approximately 150 meters south west of the BCP on twenty occasions during the reporting week; the OTs estimated that eleven trains were going to Ukraine; nine were bound for the Russian Federation. On one occasion the OT was able to estimate that a train bound for Ukraine moved slowly and heavily. The sound of this train passing lasted for over a minute. Visual observation was not possible. There is a line of trees in between the train tracks in question and therefore visual observation, especially in bad weather and after dark, is not always possible.
Three ambulances were observed over the past reporting week at the Gukovo BCP. On one occasion the OT could see some cargo in an ambulance crossing the border into the Russian Federation. The other ambulance arrived from the Russian Federation side and stopped at the BCP outside of the OTs range of visibility. This ambulance left the BCP roughly 30 minutes later. The last ambulance crossed the border from Ukraine into the Russian Federation. No wounded persons were observed in any of these three ambulances.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP increased compared to last week. The daily average of 5,287 entries and exits accounted for exactly twenty three percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from minus 340 (i.e. more exiting from Russian Federation) to minus 54 on average per day. Although the BCP continues to exhibit a reverse trend in cross-border movement, as observed for the past four week, the number itself has decreased. The OT observed 562 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups; 270 persons entered the Russian Federation while 292 left for Ukraine.
Over the past week, the OTs observed eight ambulances at BCP Donetsk. On one occasion an ambulance was called to treat an elderly person who was feeling unwell at the BCP. On one particular day there were three ambulances with Luhansk registration plates that crossed from Ukraine into the Russian Federation. Later the same day two ambulances with Luhansk registration plates crossed back into Ukraine. No wounded persons were observed in any of these eight ambulances.
CONVOYS
Over the past reporting week the OM observed two convoys cross the border at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). The OM is noting the tendency of these convoys becoming more frequent but smaller.
On 13 March 2015 at 15:14hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk BCP. A total of 24 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services. The Observer Mission (OM) was not aware of this convoy coming as it was not announced in advance. All the vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 00:02hrs on 14 March. The Ukrainian officers were not on site during the convoy crossing neither on its way out of the Russian Federation nor on its way back.
On 15 March 2015 at 08:11hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 43 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services. All the vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 18:55hrs on 15 March. The Ukrainian officers were not on site during the convoy crossing neither on its way out of the Russian Federation nor on its way back.