Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 3 April 2017

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24-hour period, but fewer compared with the period before the recommitment to the ceasefire. The Mission followed up on a report of a civilian casualty in Marinka. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines. The SMM followed up on reports of vandalism against bank branches in Odessa.

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations,[1] including about 190 explosions, compared with the previous 24-hour period (90 explosions). About 90 per cent of the explosions were recorded in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area.

During the night of 2-3 April, while in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard four undetermined explosions 6-8km north. The following day, the SMM heard three undetermined explosions 5-10km west and uncountable overlapping bursts and shots of small-arms fire 3-5km west. The SMM heard and saw one explosion assessed as an impact of a round from an unidentified weapon 3-4km north-north-west, seven undetermined explosions 3-6km north-north-east and north-east, and nine undetermined explosions 5-10km north-north-east. The SMM also heard four salvos (five-ten outgoing explosions each) of multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) 3-6km north-north-east.

During the day of 3 April, the SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) recorded two undetermined explosions 4-6km south-south-west. Positioned in Avdiivka, the SMM heard 35 undetermined explosions 1-3km south-east.

During the day of 3 April, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 3-5km north-north-west. Approximately two hours later, the SMM heard eight undetermined explosions 3-5km west and heard and saw three explosions assessed as impacts of rounds from an unidentified weapon 2km west. Thereafter, the SMM heard more than 70 undetermined explosions and ten bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, all 3-5km west-south-west.

During the night of 3 April, the SMM camera at the “DPR”-controlled Oktiabr mine (9km north-west of Donetsk city centre), recorded one undetermined explosion 4-6km north.

In the evening of 2 April, while in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) for around two hours, the SMM heard and saw 37 tracer rounds in vertical flight 4-5km north-west of the SMM position. On 3 April, over a period of three hours, the SMM heard more than 40 bursts and about 100 shots of small-arms fire at 2-4km south-west.

In the evening of 2 April, while in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 14 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire and seven shots and three bursts of small-arms fire, all at 2-4km south-east. On 3 April, over a three-hour period, the SMM heard two undetermined explosions 3-4km south-east.

On the night of 2-3 April, the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded a total of 58 tracer rounds in flight from east to west, nine south-east to north-west, 11 south to north, 24 west to east, all at undetermined distances north-north-east and north. (The sequence began with one tracer round from east to west, followed by one from south-east to north-west, and one from south to north.) In the afternoon of 3 April, the camera recorded four undetermined explosions 8.5km north-north-east.

On 3 April, positioned in government-controlled Sopyne (16km east of Mariupol), the SMM heard six undetermined explosions at an undetermined distance east-south-east.

In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including 30 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (about 20 explosions).

During the day on 3 April, positioned in government-controlled Trokhizbenka (32km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard six undetermined explosions 10km south-south west.

On the same day, positions in “LPR”-controlled Malomykolaivka (36km south-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard eight undetermined explosions around 7km north-west.

The SMM followed up on a report of a civilian casualty. At the district hospital in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk) medical personnel told the SMM that an elderly man had been admitted on 1 April with multiple non-life threatening shrapnel injuries to his face, arms and legs. The SMM saw the man, who showed wounds to his legs and face. He told the SMM that he had been walking through a field near 38 Matrosova Street in Marinka when he had heard a click followed by a burst. He added that Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel had warned residents to stay away from the area. Police officers in Marinka told the SMM that the man had been injured by a booby trap.

The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas of Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), Zolote (60km west of Luhansk) and Petrivske (41km south of Donetsk), as foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September 2016. The SMM’s access remained restricted but the Mission was able to partially monitor them.*

On the evening of 2 April, the SMM camera in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk) recorded an illumination flare, descending vertically, 3km south-west of the camera, assessed as outside the disengagement areas. On 3 April, while positioned in Stanytsia Luhanska inside the disengagement area, the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 12-15km north-west, assessed as outside the disengagement area. On the same day, positioned south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge the SMM heard five undetermined explosions 5km north-west, one undetermined explosion 5km north and one undetermined explosion 10km north; all were assessed as outside the disengagement area.

On the evening of 1 April, the SMM camera in government-controlled Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk) recorded two shots of heavy-machine-gun fire about 1km south-east, assessed as outside the disengagement area. On 3 April, positioned in government-controlled Zolote, outside the disengagement area, the SMM heard four outgoing explosions of infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) (BMP-1) cannon (73mm) and one explosion assessed as an impact 1-1.5km south-south-west. It also heard for about 20 minutes explosions, bursts, artillery rounds and shots of different type of weapons, including IFV (BMP-1 and BMP-2) cannons, mortars and heavy machine-guns, 2-6km south-south-west. All were assessed outside the disengagement area.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, in implementation of the Package of Measures, its Addendum, and the Memorandum.[2]

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, in government-controlled areas the SMM saw 11 MLRS (BM21 Grad, 122mm) near Malynivka (82km north of Donetsk), 11 MLRS (BM-21, 122mm) near Chabanivka (66km north-west of Luhansk), 17 self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) near Oleksandropil (43km north of Donetsk) and six self-propelled howitzers (2S1, 122mm) near Soledar (79km north of Donetsk).

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines in non-government controlled areas aerial imagery revealed on 31 March the presence of at least 13 MLRS (BM-21, 122mm) near “LPR”-controlled Khrustalnyi (formerly Krasnyi Luch, 54km south-west of Luhansk).

Beyond the withdrawal lines, but outside storage sites in non-government-controlled areas, the SMM saw 30-40 stationary tanks near Ternove (57km east of Donetsk) and 11 tanks near Uspenka (23km south-west of Luhansk).

Aerial imagery revealed on 31 March the presence of 17 tanks, 14 towed howitzers, ten self-propelled howitzers and 92 armoured vehicles near “LPR”-controlled Khrustalnyi (formerly Krasnyi Luch, 54km south-west of Luhansk). The imagery revealed that the number of weapons regulated by the Minsk agreements in that area has doubled since 6 March (see SMM Daily Report 8 March 2017). On 3 April, an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted three tanks dug in trenches 2km north-west of “LPR”-controlled Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk).

The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage does not comply with the criteria set in the 16 October 2015 notification. In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed: 32 self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm); 18 self-propelled howitzers (2S1, 122mm); 14 tanks (T64, 125mm); and six anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm). The SMM observed that the following weapons continued to be absent: six towed howitzers (D-20, 152mm); 22 self-propelled howitzers (2S3, 152mm); 13 anti-tank guns (MT-12, 100mm); 30 mortars (2B11 Sani, 120mm); four self-propelled air-defence vehicles (9K35 Strela-10, 120mm); three towed howitzers (D-44, 85mm); 25 self-propelled howitzers (2S1, 122mm); 29 tanks (T-64); six anti-tank guns (MT-12). One such area continued to be abandoned, with 30 T-64 tanks missing from the site.

The SMM revisited a Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage site, whose location corresponded with the withdrawal lines, and observed as missing seven mortars (five 2B9M 82mm and two mortars M120 120mm) and 34 tanks (T-64).

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles[3] and a UAV in the security zone. In government-controlled areas the SMM saw: nine IFVs (BMP-1) and one armoured recovery vehicle (BREM) being transported on flatbed trailers west on road E-50 near Selidove (41km north-west of Donetsk), four IFVs (BMP) on the southern edge of Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk), 16 IFVs (BMP-1 and BMP-2) all stationary near Popasna (69km west of Luhansk), one IFV (BMP) near Zolote-3 and seven stationary armoured combat vehicles (APCs) (MTLB) moving east near Makarove (19km north-east of Luhansk).

In non-government-controlled areas, the SMM saw two IFV (BMP-1) and one APC (BTR-D) moving west near Ternove and with several men in camouflage attire atop.

The SMM saw two empty tank transporters heading north-west on highway M03 north-east of government-controlled Orikhovo-Vasylivka (76km north of Donetsk).

Positioned at an entry-exit checkpoint in government-controlled Novotroitske (36km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM noticed a white square-shaped mini UAV, with four propellers on each corner, flying at an altitude of 25m for about 30 seconds and then heading to the east.

The SMM continued to observe the presence of mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and mine hazard signs. Near a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in government-controlled Popasna (69km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM continued to observe several lines and rows of anti-tank mines laid on the side of the road facing south. In government-controlled Lobacheve (17km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM continued to observe the presence of three pieces of under-barrel-grenade launcher rounds near a grocery store. In “LPR”-controlled Zhovte (17km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM observed for the first time two mine hazard signs on the track leading to north-east from “LPR”-controlled Zhovte.

The SMM noted no changes and a calm situation at blockade sites near Buhas (44km south-west of Donetsk), Hirske (63km west of Luhansk) and Bakhmut (formerly Artemivsk, 67km north of Donetsk).

The SMM followed up on reports of vandalism against bank branches in Odessa city. At the Sberbank of Russia branch at 10 Zhukovskoho Street the SMM saw that the main entrance was blocked by ten sandbags and two car tyres. There was also a mannequin placed in front of the door, dressed in a military-style uniform. There was red paint splashed on the door and posters with negative messages all over the façade of the building. The SMM noted that the branch was closed. Three media crews and two police officers were on the scene. At a branch of the same bank at 25 Shevchenko boulevard and an Alpha Bank branch at 15 Shevchenko boulevard the SMM saw posters on the façades of both branches and that both were covered in red paint. The SMM noted that both branches were closed. At the latter, there were three police officers, one of whom told the SMM that they were waiting for bank managers to file complaints in order to open official investigations.

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Chernivtsi, and Kyiv.

*Restrictions of SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations. They have also agreed that the JCCC should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance.

Denial of access:

• At the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, a Ukrainian officer of the JCCC told the SMM that its safety still could not be guaranteed in the areas surrounding the main road due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• The possible presence of mines and UXO prevented the SMM from travelling further south-east into the Zolote disengagement area from government-controlled Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk). The Mission informed the JCCC.
• At an “LPR” checkpoint on the edge of the Zolote disengagement area, armed men told the SMM that its safety still could not be guaranteed in the fields and side roads due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• The SMM was unable to travel west from “DPR”-controlled Petrivske due to the possible presence of mines. The Mission informed the JCCC.
• The SMM was not able to proceed eastward to Viktorivka (42km south-west of Donetsk) from government-controlled Bohdanivka as Ukrainian officers of the JCCC said that they could not ensure security for the SMM to travel, adding that anti-tank mines were still present on the road. The SMM again informed the JCCC.
• The SMM still could not travel south of the bridge in government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk), as Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel said there were mines on the road south of the bridge. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• The presence of anti-tank obstacles and mine hazard signs on the road again prevented the SMM from traveling between Katerynivka and Popasna. Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel present told the SMM that the road was mined. The SMM informed the JCCC.

[1] Please see the annexed table for complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report.

[2] Following renewed commitment made at the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group on 29 March 2017 according to which the sides agreed on full adherence to the ceasefire and the completion of the withdrawal of weapons by 1 April, in the course of 31 March Ukrainian authorities and “LPR” members provided the SMM with some information related to weapons which they declared as withdrawn. The SMM received some information from “DPR” members on some weapons which they declared that they intended to withdraw.

[3] This hardware is not proscribed by the provisions of the Minsk agreements on the withdrawal of weapons.

Please see the annexed table for complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report.