Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 9 April 2017

This report is for the media and the general public.

Between the evenings of 7 and 8 April the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. Between the evenings of 8 and 9 April the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. The Mission observed fresh impact sites caused by shelling and gunfire inside the disengagement area in Stanytsia Luhanska, as well as in Sokilnyky and Novozvanivka. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted.* It observed a ceasefire violation inside the Zolote disengagement area. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on the outskirts of Luhansk city and near Khrustalnyi. The Mission continued to observe the presence of unexploded ordnance near checkpoints. The SMM visited four border areas currently not controlled by the Government near Izvaryne, Krasnodarskyi and Leonove. The SMM noted no changes and a calm situation at blockade sites near Hirske and Bakhmut, and observed activists near a railway station in Konotop, Sumy region.

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations[1] between the evenings of 7 and 8 April, including about 500 explosions compared with the previous reporting period (about 410 explosions) and fewer between the evenings of 8 and 9 April, including about 120 explosions, compared with the previous 24-hour period. The majority of explosions were recorded in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area and the Svitlodarsk-Debaltseve area.

On the night of 7-8 April, the SMM camera at the “DPR”-controlled Oktiabr mine (9km north-west of Donetsk city centre) recorded, in sequence, one undetermined explosion, three projectiles in flight from north-west to south-east, one undetermined explosion, and 16 tracer rounds in flight from north-west to south-east, all 6-10km north-east of the camera. This was followed by a total of five undetermined explosions and seven projectiles in flight (one south-east to north-west, two east to west, three north-west to south-east, one west to east), all 8-10km north-east of the camera. The following day, the camera recorded one undetermined explosion 5-6km north-north-east.

On the night of 7-8 April, the SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) recorded, in sequence, four undetermined explosions, four projectiles in flight from north-west to south-east and one airburst, all 4-6km south-east, 14 projectiles in flight from west to east and their subsequent impacts 3-5km east-south-east of the camera. This was followed by totals of about 100 undetermined explosions (four impacts of projectiles from unknown weapons and the rest undetermined), about 210 projectiles in flight from various directions, most of which (about 160) were from south-east to north-west, and 40 tracer rounds in flight from west to east, all 3-5km east-south-east of the camera. During the day on 8 April, the same camera recorded two undetermined explosions 3-5km east-south-east. On the same day, positioned in Avdiivka for about five hours, the SMM heard about 140 undetermined explosions and about 130 bursts and shots of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 1-6km east-south-east and south-south-east.

During the day on 8 April, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk) for more than six hours, the SMM heard about 220 undetermined explosions and about 360 bursts and shots of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 2-8km at directions ranging from west-south-west to north. In addition, the SMM heard and saw one airburst and one explosion assessed as the impact of a round from an undetermined weapon 2-4km west, and heard eight explosions assessed as outgoing rounds from undetermined weapons 1-3km west-south-west and their subsequent impacts 3-5km west.

On the night of 7-8 April, the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded an exchange of fire that began with five tracer rounds in flight from west-north-west to east-south-east, followed by 30 tracer rounds in flight from east-south-east to west-north-west, at undetermined distances to the north-north-east. This continued with a total of about 480 tracer rounds in flight (90 west to east, about 90 east to west, about 240 west-north-west to east-south-east and about 55 east-south-east to west-north-west) and three undetermined explosions, all at undetermined distances to the north-north-east of the camera.

On 8 April, positioned 2km south of government-controlled Odradivka (59km north of Donetsk), the SMM heard and saw two explosions 300m south. Twenty minutes later, positioned in Odradivka, the SMM heard and saw two explosions 0.8-1km south. A Ukrainian officer of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) said they had been controlled explosions in relation to demining activities conducted in the area of the humanitarian logistics centre. At the time of the incident, the patrol did not observe any demining activity nor had the JCCC notified the SMM in advance of any such activity being conducted in the area. (See SMM Spot Report 9 April 2017.) The SMM returned to the area on 9 April for impact site assessment, but could not approach the sites due to the possible presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).

On 8 April, positioned in government-controlled Novoluhanske (53km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard ten explosions assessed as impacts of 82mm mortar rounds 2km south.

On the evening of 8 April, while in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard 11 undetermined explosions 5-10km north-west. On the night of 8-9 April, the SMM camera at the Oktiabr mine recorded a total of nine undetermined explosions, eight projectiles in flight (two north-west to south-east and six south-east to north-west), and 29 tracer rounds in flight from north-west to south-east, all 6-10km north-east. The ceasefire violations began with one undetermined explosion followed by one projectile in flight from north-west to south-east.

On the same night, the SMM camera in Avdiivka recorded aggregated totals of 11 projectiles in flight from west-north-west to east-south-east, 4-6km east; two undetermined explosions 4-6km south-east; and a total of 31 projectiles in flight (three south-west to north-east, 23 south-south-west to north-north-east, five north-north-east to south-south-west), 26 tracer rounds in flight (24 from north-north-east to west-north-west and two north-north-east to south-south-west), and seven undetermined explosions, all 4-6km east-south-east of the camera. The exchange of fire began with one undetermined explosion followed by one projectile in flight from north-west to south-east.

On the evening of 8 April, while in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east), the SMM heard 23 undetermined explosions and more than 100 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 6-7km south-west. While in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk) on the same evening, the SMM heard 64 explosions, including 18 assessed as outgoing 82mm mortar rounds and the rest undetermined, as well as at least 150 bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 3-4km south-east.

On the night of 8-9 April, the SMM camera in Shyrokyne recorded an exchange of fire that began with one rocket-assisted projectile and ten tracer rounds in flight from west to east followed by one undetermined explosion and 24 tracer rounds in flight from east to west, all at undetermined distances north-north-east. This was followed by aggregated totals of eight undetermined explosions, two rocket-assisted projectiles in flight from west to east, 70 tracer rounds in flight (53 from west to east, one east to west, 14 south-east to north-west, one south to north, and one from south-west to north-east), all at undetermined distances to the north.

On 9 April, positioned in Yasynuvata for about five hours, the SMM heard seven undetermined explosions 3-5km south-west and west.

In Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations between the evenings of 7 and 8 April, including about 12 explosions compared with the previous reporting period (about 350 explosions) and more between the evenings of 8 and 9 April, including about 80 explosions.

During the day on 8 April, positioned in “LPR”-controlled Kruta Hora (16km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 2km west, followed by dark grey smoke and a small fire. Positioned in government-controlled Novozvanivka (70km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard two undetermined explosions 10-15km south-west. Positioned in government-controlled Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 20km west-south-west. Positioned in government-controlled Zolote (60km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard three undetermined explosions 5-6km west.

In the morning hours on 9 April, positioned in “LPR”-controlled Holubivske (51km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 40 explosions assessed as mortar rounds (82mm and 120mm) and 25 bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 1km north-east. Positioned in “LPR”-controlled Molodizhne (63km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard ten undetermined explosions 10km north-east. Positioned 1.5km west of government-controlled Novotoshkivske (53km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard eight undetermined explosions 4-5km south-east.

The SMM observed impact sites caused by shelling and gunfire. On 7 April, the SMM saw three fresh craters 15m east of the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint north of government-controlled part of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk), inside the disengagement area. The SMM assessed the craters as caused by automatic-grenade-launcher (AGS-17) fire, but could not determine the direction of fire.

On 7 April, at a checkpoint in “LPR”-controlled Sokilnyky (38km north-west of Luhansk) armed “LPR” members showed the SMM three fresh craters. The SMM assessed the craters as caused by rounds from large-calibre weapons fired from a westerly direction.

On 9 April, the SMM observed two fresh impact sites in a field next to a road 1.3km south of Novozvanivka. The SMM assessed the impact sites as caused by 122mm artillery rounds fired from an easterly direction.

The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas of Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote  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 7 April, the SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska recorded the launch from the north-eastern outskirts of Luhansk city, 8km south-west, of a probable surface-to-air missile and its detonation in the air. On the day of 8 April, positioned inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM heard four undetermined explosions 5-6km north-west, assessed as outside the disengagement area. The following day, also positioned inside the disengagement area, the SMM heard one explosion 1.5km north-north-west, assessed as outside the disengagement area.

On 6 April, the SMM camera in Zolote recorded one undetermined explosion 4km east-north-east of the camera, assessed as outside the disengagement area. On 7 April, the camera recorded one undetermined explosion 4km east-south-east, assessed as outside the disengagement area.

On 8 April, positioned in Katerynivka, inside the Zolote disengagement area, the SMM heard one burst of small-arms fire 2km south-east, assessed as inside the disengagement area.

On 9 April, positioned on the northern edge of the Zolote disengagement area, the SMM heard 19 undetermined explosions and six bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 3-4km east, all assessed as outside the disengagement area.

The SMM noted a calm situation while present near the disengagement area south-west of “DPR”-controlled Petrivske (41km south of Donetsk).

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 areas not controlled by the Government, the SMM saw on 7 April, three multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) near Khrustalnyi (formerly Krasnyi Luch, 56km south-west of Luhansk). On both 8 and 9 April the SMM saw seven tanks (T-72), ten towed howitzers (five 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm; and five D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm), seven MLRS (BM-21), and seven self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) in the south-eastern outskirts of Luhansk city.

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 saw: 16 towed howitzers (2A36 Giatsint-B, 152mm) and seven tanks (T-64). The SMM noted that two towed howitzers (2A36) and three tanks (T-64) were again missing.

In such sites in non-government controlled areas, the SMM noted as present: 11 self-propelled howitzers (2S1), five MLRS (BM-21), six towed howitzers (D-30) and four anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm). The SMM noted as missing: 16 MLRS (BM-21), including four for the first time, three self-propelled howitzers (2S1), including two for the first time, and 12 mortars (11 PM-38, 120mm; and one 2B11 Sani, 120mm).

The SMM revisited an “LPR” permanent storage site, whose location corresponded with the respective withdrawal lines, and observed as missing: 15 towed howitzers (six 2A65; and nine D-30), seven MLRS (BM-21), and three self-propelled howitzers (2S1).

The SMM revisited a Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage site, whose location corresponded with the respective withdrawal lines, and noted that all weapons previously recorded as withdrawn were present.

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles[3] and heard an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the security zone. On 7 April, in government-controlled areas, the SMM saw: one armoured personnel carrier (APC) (BRDM-2) and one infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) (BTR-4) 3km south-west of Voitove (33km north-west of Luhansk); one IFV (BTR-4) stationary near Makarove (19km north-east of Luhansk); two IFVs (BMP-2) stationary between houses and two others in the backyard of a kindergarten occupied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Zolote-3; one APC (BRDM-2) and one IFV (BTR-4k) heading south-east near Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk); four IFVs (BMP-2), three stationary IFVs (BMP-variant) and one light armoured vehicle Kraz Cougar mounted with a heavy machine-gun in Zolote, outside the disengagement area. Positioned inside the Zolote disengagement area, the SMM heard the sound of a combustion engine assessed as a UAV flying a few hundred metres south. On 8 April, the SMM saw: one IFV (BMP-1) transported on a flatbed truck near Artema (26km north of Luhansk); one stationary IFV (BTR-4) near Makarove; 24 IFVs (22 BMP-2 and two BMP-1); one APC (MT-LB) stationary at three different locations near Popasna (69km west of Luhansk); one APC (SNAR-10) near Troitske (69km west of Luhansk); and five stationary IFVs (BMP-2) in residential areas of Zolote. On 9 April, the SMM saw three static IFVs (BMP-1) near Trokhizbenka (32km north-west of Luhansk).

On 8 April, at a checkpoint on road H15 in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed about 15 persons in military-style attire digging trenches along the southern shoulder of the road.

In Novozvanivka the SMM observed a military Kamaz truck loaded with boxes with inscription “PG7V”, which the SMM assessed as boxes for anti-tank grenades (RPG-7), heading south. One hour later, the SMM observed the same vehicle, but empty, in Troitske.

In non-government-controlled areas the SMM saw on 9 April: one IFV (BMP-1) in a dug-in position near a compound in Petrivske and one static IFV (BMP-2) near an “LPR” position, as well as over 40 empty shell casings for 30mm rounds assessed as at least one week old, near Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk). Aerial imagery revealed the presence on 7 April of six armoured vehicles in eastern Donetsk city.

The SMM continued to observe the presence of UXO. On 7 April, at a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in Katerynivka, the SMM saw a patch of grass recently burnt which had made visible, for the first time to the SMM, about 15 anti-tank mines around 10m north of the road. On the same day, the SMM saw, for the first time, the tailfin of a round of a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher (RPG-29) amongst concrete rubble on a path 150m north of the broken part of the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska.

On 8 April, the SMM saw again remnants of about 20 mortar rounds (82mm) with no fuses or firing caps attached, 130m east of a junction on the road to “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka (24km north-east of Mariupol). On the same day, the SMM noted that a grenade launcher round (PG-7L) remained on the ground north of road H15 between checkpoints in “DPR”-controlled Oleksandrivka (20km south-west of Donetsk) and government-controlled Marinka. (See SMM Daily Report 8 March 2017.) On 9 April, the SMM observed, for the first time, eight anti-tank mines on the edge of the road at a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near the railway in the north-eastern outskirts of Popasna.

The SMM monitored the rotation of officers of the JCCC at checkpoints on the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, at a checkpoint in government-controlled Maiorsk (45km north-east of Donetsk) and at checkpoints between government-controlled Pyshchevyk (25km north-east of Mariupol) and “DPR”-controlled Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, 29km north-east of Mariupol), which passed without incidents.

The SMM visited four border areas currently not controlled by the Government. On 8 April, at the border crossing point near Izvaryne (52km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed 66 passenger cars (46 with Ukrainian and 18 with Russian Federation licence plates, and two with “LPR” plates) in a queue to leave Ukraine. The SMM observed 85 vehicles parked at the parking lot (67 with Ukrainian and 15 with Russian Federation licence plates, and three with “LPR” plates). During one hour in the area, the SMM saw 16 pedestrians enter and 27 leave Ukraine, all of the latter crossing within 20 minutes.

On 9 April, during 20 minutes at a pedestrian border crossing point near Krasnodarskyi (58km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw one man (about 50), three women (one 25 years old and two in their sixties) and one six-year-old child leave Ukraine, and six women (one aged 30 and five in their sixties) and three men (one aged 30 and two in their sixties) enter Ukraine. During 15 minutes at another pedestrian border crossing point near Krasnodarskyi, the SMM observed three men (two aged 25 and one in his sixties) leave Ukraine. The SMM noted no “LPR” members present at the border crossing points.

At the pedestrian border crossing point near Leonove (formerly Chervonyi Zhovten, 82km south of Luhansk) the SMM observed no “LPR” members present, the barrier was open but there was no vehicle or pedestrian traffic.*

The SMM noted no changes and a calm situation at blockade sites in government-controlled areas near Hirske (63km west of Luhansk) and Bakhmut (67km north of Donetsk).

On 7 April, the SMM observed two people (men aged 35-40) in camouflage clothing 750m south of a railway station near Konotop, Sumy region (255km north-west of Kharkiv and 100km from the border with the Russian Federation). They said they were former Anti-Terrorism Operation participants. One of them told the SMM that they were monitoring commercial rail traffic to and from the Russian Federation by recording the number of the cars and sending the information to their “headquarters”. Railway station officials and a police officer separately told the SMM that “the activists were being allowed to observe trains and the situation was not confrontational”.  

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Odessa, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, 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, 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:

• On both 8 and 9 April, 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 both times.
• On 8 April, the possible presence of mines and UXO prevented the SMM from travelling further south-east into the Zolote disengagement area from Katerynivka. The Mission informed the JCCC.
• On both 8 and 9 April, 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 both times.
• On 8 April the SMM was unable to travel west from “DPR”-controlled Petrivske due to the possible presence of mines. The Mission informed the JCCC.
• On 9 April, the SMM could not travel east towards the Petrivske disengagement area from government-controlled Bohdanivka (41km south-west of Donetsk) due to lack of security guarantees and the possible presence of mines and other explosive hazards on the road. The SMM informed the JCCC all four times.
• On four occasions, two each on 8 and 9 April, the presence of anti-tank obstacles and mine hazard signs on the road 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 both times.
• On both 8 and 9 April, the SMM still could not travel south of the bridge in government-controlled Shchastia, as Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel said there were mines on the road south of the bridge. The SMM informed the JCCC.

-On 8 April, an armed “DPR” member prevented the SMM from talking to local representatives of a local “Centre for Social Support and Administrative Services” located near the entry-exit checkpoint in “DPR”-controlled Kargil (17km south-west of Donetsk). The SMM informed the JCCC.

-On 8 April, in Yasynuvata, an armed “DPR” member told the SMM to turn back, saying that it was too close to the contact line.

-On 8 April, a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer denied the SMM access to a heavy weapons holding area. The SMM informed the JCCC.

-On 8 April, an unarmed “DPR” member denied the SMM access to a heavy weapons holding area. The SMM informed the JCCC, but if failed to facilitate access.

-On 8 April, the SMM could not access a heavy weapons holding area as no “DPR” members were present to allow the SMM inside the area. The SMM informed the JCCC.

• On 8 April, in Stanytsia Luhanska, at a place where the SMM had seen a weapon and on the way to the disengagement area, a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer asked the SMM about the purpose of its presence in the area, requested to see the SMM patrol plan, and asked the SMM to wait while he spoke to his commander. The SMM waited more than 30 minutes before leaving the area. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• On both 8 and 9 April, a wooden barrier on the road and a sign reading “Dangerous” prevented the SMM from travelling from government-controlled Lobacheve (17km north-west of Luhansk) to government-controlled Lopaskyne (23km north-west of Luhansk). The SMM informed the JCCC both times.
• On 9 April, on two occasions Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel denied the SMM access to heavy weapons holding areas, including at one for the 12th consecutive time. The SMM informed the JCCC both times.

Conditional access:

-On 8 April, at a heavy weapons holding area, an armed “DPR” member told the SMM that it could not take pictures or videos. The SMM saw what looked like an armoured vehicle painted in military-style camouflage and covered with a blanket, but the “DPR” member did not allow the SMM to check the type of vehicle.

-On 9 April, two “LPR” members armed with assault rifles (AK-47) stopped the SMM on a road near “LPR”-controlled Diakove (70km south-west of Luhansk).They asked for the purpose of the SMM’s visit and locations to be visited, wrote down the names of SMM monitors, the number of people in the SMM patrol, and SMM vehicles’ licence plates. They escorted the SMM, in one vehicle and two of them on foot, until it left the area.

-On 9 April, near “LPR”-controlled Leonove, two armed “LPR” members stopped the SMM again asking about the purpose of its visit, locations to be visited, and to see the identification cards of the SMM members. They wrote the names of the SMM personnel, and SMM vehicles’ licence plates.

Other impediments:

• At a checkpoint at the entrance to government-controlled Orikhove-Donetske (44km north-west of Luhansk), a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer asked for SMM about the nationalities of its patrol members, specifically if any were of certain nationalities. The SMM refused to answer, explaining its mandate. In response, the officer threatened that if people of these nationalities would be present next time on an SMM patrol he would drag them out of the vehicles.

 

[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.