Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00hrs (Moscow time), 02 June 2015
SUMMARY
Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, 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).
DETAIL
OM’s staff composition
The OM is currently operating with 21 staff members, consisting of 19 permanent international observers (incl. the Chief Observer) and two first-responders, one of which is performing the duties of an administrative assistant. Eight 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 8,378 to 8,507 per day for both BCPs; the average net flow went from minus 218 to minus 160 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation). 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 an increasing number of articulated trucks and 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 on irregular routes. Often the buses do not state their 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 292 to 257 at both BCPs which is the lowest recorded number since the Observer Mission’s inception. These people have been crossing individually or in groups and on foot or in vehicles. Approximately eighty five percent of border crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. The OTs continue to observe that persons in military-style dress have been travelling by bus across the border which makes it more difficult for the OTs to observe their movement across the border. The OTs also continue to observe physically fit young men in civilian clothing, who frequently travel in groups, with short haircuts who often have camouflage-colored bags.
Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe Ukrainian vehicles including articulated trucks with “DPR/LPR” stickers on their license plates replacing the Ukrainian flag.
During the reporting week, the OM continued to observe 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 cargo truck traffic at BCP Donetsk crossing the border in both directions. While the majority of the trucks are registered in Luhansk oblast, during the reporting period the OTs have also observed trucks registered in Belarus crossing the border. The OTs have observed that the number of trucks registered in Belarus has decreased compared to the previous reporting week; these trucks were observed crossing the border in both directions at the Donetsk BCP. Separately, 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 has increased compared to last week. A daily average of 2,513 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for just under ten per cent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow went from plus 50 to plus 103 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) on average per day.
During the week, the OM observed a total of 32 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 20 of whom left for Ukraine while 12 entered the Russian Federation.
As in previous weeks, the OM observed dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation, though the intensity of the transportation remains relatively low compared to past reporting periods. As reported previously, the observers saw Russian Federation customs officers verifying that the trucks were empty while leaving the Russian Federation.
In addition to the above-mentioned tanker trucks with the word “Propane” and “Flammable”, the OT observed a number of orange articulated fuel trucks crossing at the Gukovo BCP.
The OTs picked up on the sound of trains running down the train tracks located approximately 150 meters south west of the BCP on seven occasions during the reporting week; the OTs estimated that four trains were going to Ukraine; three were bound for the Russian Federation. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees in between the train tracks and the BCP.
On May 28 at 21:30hrs the OT heard 12 light caliber single shots which came from a south eastern direction.
On May 28 at 11:29hrs the OT observed three men carrying a coffin from Russian Federation to Ukraine, crossing the border on foot. The OT also observed two women together with these three men dealing with documentations while crossing the border.
On two occasions during the reporting period, the Border Guards held drills during which the gates of BCP were closed on both sides and spike mats were deployed on the road. Border guards were observed wearing helmets and bulletproof vests.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP was slightly higher compared to last week. The daily average of 5,994 entries and exits accounted for over twenty three percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from minus 269 to minus 264 on average per day (i.e. more exits from Russian Federation). The OT observed 225 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups; 133 persons entered the Russian Federation while 92 left for Ukraine.
During the reporting week the OTs observed three ambulances at the Donetsk BCP. On one occasion, the OT observed an ambulance arriving from Russian Federation direction at the BCP to the other side of the customs control building. All the ambulance staff was dressed in full biohazard clothing. The ambulance remained for 15 minutes before returning to the RF. The ambulance was parked out of line of vision of the OT and consequently it was unable to observe what happened.
On May 26 at 11:43hrs a white minivan arrived to BCP from Russian Federation side. On its windshield was written in large black letters “GRUZ 200” and there was a large Christian cross on the front of the vehicle. The OT observed four persons in civilian clothing and a sealed brown coffin on its board. After quick checks by the Russian Federation officials including the representative of the Veterinary Service the vehicle proceeded to Ukraine.
On May 30 and June 1 the OTs heard the sound of firing in three occasions. The first and second were heard from a north-west direction and approximately 10 to 20 rounds were shot. The third shooting was heard from a northern direction and consisted of nine light caliber rounds shot in a row.
CONVOY
On 28 May 2015 at 07:00hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk BCP (see the OM Spot Report of 28 May). A total of 50 vehicles - 44 cargo trucks and 6 support vehicles - were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services; one Russian service dog was used to check most of the cargo trucks. Ukrainian officers were present on site during the check of both the outgoing and the returning convoy. All the vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 15:10hrs on 28 May.