Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 17 April 2017

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions between the evenings of 14 and 15 April and between the evenings of 15 and 16 April, compared with the previous reporting period, but more ceasefire violations between the evenings of 16 and 17 April compared with the previous 24 hours. The SMM followed up on reports of damage from shelling in residential areas. The SMM monitored the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted.* It observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The Mission observed the presence of mines in Katerynivka. The SMM observed that roads and railway routes in Bakhmut and Buhas were not blocked. The SMM monitored six border areas currently not under government control. The SMM continued to monitor the continuation of protests outside some branches of Sberbank of Russia in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odessa.

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations,[1] between the evenings of 14 and 15 April (including 60 explosions), and between the evenings of 15 and 16 April (including 43 explosions) compared with the previous reporting period (about 475 explosions). The Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in the region between the evenings of 16 and 17 April compared with the previous 24 hours, including about 195 explosions.

On the night of 14-15 April, while in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 8-10km north-west and one shot of small-arms fire 1-2km north-west. On the same night the SMM camera at Oktiabr mine (9km north-west of Donetsk city centre) recorded, in sequence, 20 tracer rounds in flight from west to east, two undetermined explosions, followed by aggregate totals of 33 projectiles in flight (30 east to west and three west to east), all 8-10km north-east of the camera. On 15 April the SMM heard about six undetermined explosions 3-6km south-west and 13 shots of small-arms fire 1-4km ranging from south-south-west to west. In the evening and night of 15-16 April, it recorded three undetermined explosions and one illumination flare in vertical flight 8-10km north-east. On 17 April, while in Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard 90 undetermined explosions 5-10km east.

On the evening and night of 14-15 April, the SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) recorded, in sequence, 16 explosions assessed as impacts, 17 undetermined explosions, followed by aggregate totals of 24 undetermined explosions, 19 projectiles (nine in flight south to north, two north to south, seven east to west, one west to east), 14 tracer rounds in flight from south to north, all 3-5km east-south-east. On the evening and night of 15-16 April, the camera recorded, in sequence, ten tracer rounds and nine projectiles in flight south to north, two explosions assessed as impacts, seven projectiles and three tracer rounds in flight from south to north, one projectile north to south, followed by aggregated totals of three undetermined explosions, 19 projectiles and three tracer rounds in flight from south to north, and one projectile north to south, all 3-5km east-south-east of the camera. On the evening and night of 16-17 April, the camera recorded three projectiles in flight from north to east, including one assessed as outgoing, 14 undetermined explosions and one flare in vertical flight, all 3-6km east-south-east and east. On 17 April the camera recorded, in sequence, two undetermined explosions, one airburst, 40 tracer rounds in flight from north-west to south-east, one projectile in flight from north-west to south-east, one undetermined explosion, all 3-5km east-south-east of the camera.

On 15 April, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard one shot of small-arms fire 2-4km south-south-west. During the day of 16 April, the SMM heard four shots of small-arms fire 2-3km west and one undetermined explosion 2-4km west. On 17 April the SMM heard six undetermined explosions, two bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, about 140 shots and bursts of small-arms fire, all 1-4km west-north-west and west. The SMM heard 16 undetermined explosions, five bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire and eight shots of small-arms fire, 1-5km from a northerly direction, six undetermined explosions, six bursts and uncountable overlapping of heavy-machine-gun-fire and shots of small-arms fire 1-5km from a southerly direction.

On the night of 14-15 April, the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded, in sequence, one tracer round in flight from west to east, three rocket-assisted projectiles in flight from west to east, three racer rounds from west to east, followed by aggregate totals of four rocket-assisted projectiles in flight from west to east, 90 tracer rounds (five west to east, 14 east to west, three south-west to north-east, four south-east to north-west, 44 from north-west to south-east, 20 from north-east to south-west), all at an unknown distance north-east and north. On the evening and night of 15-16 April, the camera recorded, in sequence, one tracer round in flight from east to west, two tracer rounds west to east, followed by aggregated totals of three undetermined explosions, 40 tracer rounds (35 west to east and five east to west), three tracer rounds from south-east to north-west, one south-west to north-east, three rocket-assisted projectiles (two south-east to north-west and one west to east), three illumination flares (two from west to east and one east to west), all at an unknown distance north of the camera. On the evening and night of 16-17 April, the camera recorded, in sequence, 20 tracer rounds in flight from east to west, 29 from west to east, followed by aggregate totals of two undetermined explosions, 214 tracer rounds (123 in flight east to west and 89 west to east).  

On 16 April positioned in government-controlled Lomakyne (15km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion at an unknown distance south-east.

On 16 April, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove, 23km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard two shots of small-arms fire 300-500m south-south-west of its position.

On 16 April, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka (24km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion at an unknown distance west and one undetermined explosion 3-5km west-south-west.

On 16 April, positioned in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard about 25 undetermined explosions 4-8km south-east of its position. On the evening of 16 April the SMM heard five undetermined explosions 3-5km south-east and south, and 14 bursts and shots of heavy-machine-gun fire 2-4km south. On 17 April the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 4-6km south-east, one undetermined explosion 6-8km south-south-west, 67 undetermined explosions 8-10km south-west, uncountable and overlapping shots and bursts of small-arms fire 5-6km east, and three shots 3-4km south-south-west of its position.    

On 17 April, positioned 3.2km north-north-east of government-controlled Hnutove (20km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM saw two explosions, assessed as impacts, heard 50 bursts of small-arms fire and 20 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, 4-5km south-south-east.

On 17 April, positioned near government-controlled Sopyne (16km east of Mariupol), the SMM heard an undetermined explosion at an unknown distance north-north-east.

On 17 April, positioned 500m south-east of “DPR”-controlled Oleksandrivske (formerly Rozy Liuksemburh, 90km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion at an unknown distance west.   

On 17 April, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Naberezhne (33km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard 20 undetermined explosions and uncountable bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire at an unknown distance south-west of its position.

On 17 April, positioned 1.4km north-west of government-controlled Pavlopil (26km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM saw four explosions, assessed as impacts, 7-10km east and heard six undetermined explosions, 70 bursts and 55 shots of heavy-machine-gun fire at an unknown distance east.

In Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations between the evenings of 14 and 15 April (including one explosion) and between the evenings of 15 and 16 April (including 80 explosions), compared with the previous reporting period (at least 120 explosions). The Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in the region between the evenings of 16 and 17 April, compared with the previous 24 hours, including 46 explosions.

On 16 April, positioned 1.3km south-east of “LPR”-controlled Molodizhne (63km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 27 undetermined explosions and 28 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 5-6km south-west (assessed as outside the Zolote disengagement area).

On 16 April, positioned approximately 3km north of “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (58km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard four bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire and two undetermined explosions 2km west, all assessed as outside the Zolote disengagement area. On 17 April the SMM heard three undetermined explosions 7-10km south-west (assessed as outside the disengagement area), 20 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, 15 bursts of small-arms fire, 15 shots of infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) (BMP-2) cannon (30mm) fire, all 1.5-3km west (assessed as outside the disengagement area).

On 17 April, positioned 3km south-west of government-controlled Popasna (69km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 9-10km south-south-west.

On the same day, positioned in “LPR”-controlled Kalynove-Borshchuvate (61km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 21 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire and eight bursts of small-arms fire, 1.5km north-west (assessed as outside the Zolote disengagement area).

The SMM followed up on reports of damage from shelling in residential areas. On 15 April, near “DPR”-controlled Azov (formerly Dzerzhynske, 25km north-east of Mariupol) the SMM, accompanied by a Russian Federation officer of the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination (JCCC), saw a crater in a field 180 metres west of a road north-west of Azov. The SMM assessed it to have been caused by artillery of at least 152mm fired from a westerly direction.

On 16 April, in Azov, at the junction with Shkilna Street the SMM saw a house with scorch marks from fire on the internal walls, damage to wooden parts of the roof frame and collapsed parts of the roof, assessed as caused by an artillery round fired from a westerly direction. About 100m metres east of the house, the SMM saw one fresh crater, assessed as caused by an artillery round fired from a westerly direction.

On 16 April on the southern edge of Pikuzy, the SMM saw eight craters along the main road leading to Pikuzy. Six of those were 20-50m in front of two houses west of the road and the other two were located east of the road. The SMM was unable to assess the cause of the impacts or the direction of fire.     

In “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka (24km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM saw a fresh crater near the parking lot of an abandoned cultural centre, assessed as caused by a mortar round fired from a south-westerly direction. The SMM saw two additional fresh impact sites on the road south of Sakhanka, both assessed as caused by mortar rounds fired from a south-westerly direction.

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 night of 14-15 April the SMM camera in Zolote recorded one undetermined explosion about 4km south-south-west, assessed as outside the disengagement area.

On 15 April, positioned outside the disengagement area of Zolote near a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint and accompanied by a Ukrainian officer of the JCCC, the SMM saw several nylon strings around 30-50cm off the ground attached to devices, assessed as flare grenades. The SMM saw a total of five flare grenade devices along the north-western side of the main road for 275m.

On 16 April, positioned in government-controlled parts of Zolote, the SMM heard 16 undetermined explosions 5-6km south-west, assessed as outside the disengagement area. 

The SMM monitored the situation at the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area. On 16 April, positioned at the “LPR” checkpoint south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, an SMM patrol saw an unarmed “LPR” member launching a white flare into the air 20m from its position, according to “LPR” members as a sign of readiness for disengagement. Another SMM patrol positioned north of the bridge also saw the flare.

On 16 April, positioned 2km north-east of government-controlled Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 3km south-west, assessed as outside the Zolote disengagement area. Positioned 1km north-east of Katerynivka, the SMM heard two bursts of small-arms fire and one explosion assessed as an outgoing round of a recoilless gun (SPG-9, 73mm) and the consequent explosion 2-3km south-west (assessed as outside the Zolote disengagement area). On 17 April the SMM heard 20 shots and five bursts of small-arms fire, 2-3km north-west (assessed as 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 observed six multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) (BM-27 Uragan, 220mm) near Dobropillia (75km north-west of Donetsk) on 15 April; 18 MLRS (BM-27) in Lyman (83km north-west of Donetsk) and 12 anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) near Sievierodonetsk (74km north-west of Luhansk) on 17 April.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas on 15, 16 and 17 April the SMM continued to observe seven MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm), seven self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), ten towed howitzers (five D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm; and five 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm), and seven tanks (T-72) at an aerodrome in the south-eastern outskirts of Luhansk city (see SMM Spot Report 5 April 2017.)

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside designated storage sites the SMM saw four stationary tanks (T-64) near “LPR”-controlled Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk) on 17 April.

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, the SMM noted as present: on 15 April - 12 self-propelled howitzers (2S1); on 17 April – 12 self-propelled howitzers (2S1), 16 towed howitzers (2A63 Giatsint-B, 152mm), 18 anti-tank guns (MT-12) and six mortars (M120, 120mm). At sites previously observed as abandoned, on 15 April the SMM noted as still missing 30 self-propelled howitzers (18 2S1 and 12 2S19 Msta-S, 152mm), 12 towed howitzers (D-30), six mortars (2B11 Sani, 120mm) and four surface-to-air missile systems (three 9K33 Osa and one 9K35 Strela-10). The SMM noted as missing, as previously observed: on 15 April - five self-propelled howitzers (2S1); on 17 April - 22 self-propelled howitzers (2S1), four towed howitzers (2A65) and six mortars (2B11). The SMM noted as missing for the first time 12 MLRS (9P140).

On 17 April the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage sites, whose locations corresponded with the respective withdrawal lines, and noted that 20 tanks (T-64) and eight 82mm mortars (six 2B9, one BM-37, one 2B14) were again absent.

On 17 April the SMM revisited an “LPR” permanent storage site and noted that all weapons previously recorded as withdrawn were present.

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles (ACVs) and anti-aircraft weapons[3] in the security zone. In government-controlled areas the SMM saw: on 14 April, two IFVs (BMP-2) moving south-west near Katerynivka; on 15 April, one armoured personnel carrier (APC) (BRDM-2) near Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk), three APCs (one Kozak, two BTR-80) near Krynychne (67km north-east of Donetsk), and one IFV (BMP-variant) near Zolote (outside the disengagement area); and on 16 April, five IFVs (four BMP-2, one BMP-1Ksh) near Nyzhnie (56km north-west of Luhansk), six IFVs (BMP-2) near Novotoshkivske (53km west of Luhansk), and one IFV (BMP-1) and two APCs (BRDM-2) near Zolote (outside the disengagement area).

In non-government-controlled areas the SMM saw: on 15 April, one IFV (BMP-1) heading north near Sentianivka (formerly Frunze, 44km west of Luhansk), one anti-aircraft cannon (ZU-23, 23mm) mounted on a truck heading north-west near Komisarivka (17km south-east of Luhansk) and seven IFVs (BMP-2) and 13 APCs (seven MT-LB, six BTR-80) in the south-eastern outskirts of Luhansk city; on 16 April, the same number of IFVs and APCs near Luhansk city; and on 17 April, one IFV (BMP-variant) and an ACV (BMP-variant or MT-LB) near Uzhivka (formerly Leninske, 24km north-east of Mariupol), one APC (MT-LB) with a mounted anti-aircraft cannon (ZU-23) near Pikuzy, one IFV (BMP-variant) near Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk), seven IFVs (BMP-2) and seven APCs (BTR-80) in the south-eastern outskirts of Luhansk city.

The SMM observed the presence of mines in the security zone. On 15 April, while travelling from Katerynivka to Popasna, the SMM saw roadblocks that prevented further passage. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer told the SMM that the road was mined. At the same location, the SMM  saw, as previously observed, an anti-tank mine placed in the middle of the road 30m south-west of the block. Approximately 500m farther in a south-westerly direction on the same road, the SMM saw for the first time a wooden plank lying across the road with four anti-tank mines nailed onto it.

The SMM continued to monitor the status of the blockade of roads and railway routes. On 15 April in government-controlled Bakhmut (formerly Artemivsk, 67km north of Donetsk) the SMM saw five protestors and noted that the locomotive that had been stationary on the tracks since February was no longer there (see SMM Daily Report 16 February 2017). A protestor (man in mid-fifties) told the SMM that a representative from the Ukrainian Railways had removed the locomotive on 14 April without incident. On 16 April the SMM saw a calm situation with five tents and three people wearing military-style clothing. On 17 April the SMM saw two people wearing military-style clothing near the railway crossing and noticed the absence of the barrier that had been blocking the tracks on previous days.  

On 17 April the SMM noted that in government-controlled Buhas (44km south-west of Donetsk) there was no obstacle blocking the road traffic.

The SMM monitored six border areas currently not under government control. On 16 April, in one hour at a pedestrian border crossing point near Verkhnoharasymivka (57km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed 27 civilians entering and 32 civilians exiting Ukraine.

On 16 April, in one hour at the pedestrian border crossing point near Novoborovytsi (79km south of Luhansk), the SMM saw five civilians entering Ukraine and 11 exiting.

On 17 April, in one hour at the border crossing point near Dovzhanskyi (84km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw 60 civilian vehicles (52 with Ukrainian, seven with Russian Federation licence plates, one with a Georgian licence plate), one bus with 45 civilian passengers on board (Yalta-Luhansk with a Ukrainian licence plate), six covered cargo trucks (with Ukrainian licence plates), in a queue to exit Ukraine. The SMM saw 16 civilian vehicles (ten with Ukrainian, four with Russian Federation and two with Georgian licence plates) enter Ukraine.

On 17 April, in about 30 minutes at a border crossing point near Marynivka (78km east of Donetsk), the SMM saw 23 civilian cars (18 with Ukrainian, three with Russian Federation licence plates, one with Lithuanian and one with Belarusian licence plates) and two buses (with Ukrainian licence plates) in a queue to exit Ukraine and three civilian cars with Ukrainian licence plates enter. In 30 minutes at a border crossing point near Uspenka (73km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM saw 21 trucks (11 were covered cargo trucks, eight were refrigerator trucks, and two were unmarked tanker trucks); 19 of the trucks had Ukrainian licence plates (one had “DPR” plates and one truck had plates marked “Abkhazia”, both were cargo trucks) in a queue to exit Ukraine. The SMM also saw 42 civilian cars (27 with Russian Federation licence plates, 14 with Ukrainian licence plates and one car with plates marked “Abkhazia”) in a queue to exit Ukraine. The SMM saw ten civilian cars enter Ukraine. In about 40 minutes at the Ulianivske pedestrian crossing point (61km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM saw one person exit Ukraine and two people enter.

The SMM monitored two border areas under government control. On 15 April, in one hour at a border crossing point near Taniushivka (137km north of Luhansk), the SMM observed 13 civilian cars (ten with Ukrainian and three with Russian Federation licence plates) and three mini-buses (all with Ukrainian licence plates) entering Ukraine and seven civilian cars and one mini-bus (all with Ukrainian licence plates) in a queue to exit Ukraine.

On 16 April, in one hour at a border crossing point near Milove (108km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed nine civilian vehicles (four with Ukrainian and five with Russian Federation licence plates) in a queue to exit Ukraine and nine civilian vehicles with Ukrainian licence plates entering Ukraine.

The SMM monitored the continuation of protests outside some branches of Sberbank of Russia. (See SMM Daily Report 15 April 2017.) In Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odessa the SMM again observed gatherings of three to ten people outside branches of the bank. The gatherings were calm.

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

*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 15, 16 and 17 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 on 16 and 17 April.
• On 15, 16 and 17 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 each time.
• On 15 and 17 April, the SMM was unable to travel west from “DPR”-controlled Petrivske due to the possible presence of mines. The Mission informed the JCCC both times.
• On 15 April, an unarmed “LPR” member at an aerodrome in the south-eastern outskirts of Luhansk city did not allow the SMM to take pictures of heavy weapons stored there (see above). The SMM informed the JCCC.
• On 16 April, the SMM could not travel eastward from government-controlled Bohdanivka (41km south-west of Donetsk) as Ukrainian officers of the JCCC said that anti-tank mines were still present on the road. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• On 16 and 17 April, in Katerynivka, a Ukrainian officer of the JCCC told the SMM that no demining had taken place and therefore the SMM was unable to travel south-east into the Zolote disengagement area along the railroad track. The SMM informed the JCCC both times.
• On 15 April, the presence of anti-tank obstacles, road blocks, mine hazard signs and four anti-tank mines (observed for the first time) on the road prevented the SMM from travelling between Katerynivka and Popasna. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• On 15, 16 and 17 April, 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 each time.
• On 17 April, a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier at a checkpoint near government-controlled Berdianske (18km east of Mariupol) prevented the SMM from proceeding eastward toward Shyrokyne. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• On 17 April, an armed “DPR” member at the northern edge of Naberezhne prevented the SMM from entering the village. The SMM informed the JCCC

Delay:

• On 15 April an armed “DPR” member at a checkpoint near the western entrance to Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, 29km north-east of Mariupol) delayed the SMM for 23 minutes. 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.* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions of SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate”.

[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.