Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 2 January 2015

This report is for media and the general public

The SMM continued to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum and the work of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). The SMM received reports about a deterioration of the relative calm since 9 December 2014, with an increase in ceasefire violations and casualties reported by the JCCC in the Donetsk region.

In government-controlled Debaltseve (55km NE of Donetsk) at the JCCC headquarters (HQ), the SMM met the Ukrainian (UA) and Russian Federation (RF) leading army officers at the JCCC, together with members of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”) and “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”). The two senior officers expressed concern about the last 48 hours, during which 38 incidents caused by small arms and light weapons (SALW) fire, artillery and multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) shelling were registered around Donetsk airport, government-controlled Pisky (7km NW of Donetsk) and “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (43km NE of Donetsk). There was a common understanding of all the participants from UA and RF armed forces and members of the “DPR” and the “LPR” that three civilians were killed in Horlivka and three injured; one military personnel from the Ukrainian army (UA) was also killed and seven UA injured at Donetsk airport. The SMM could not independently verify the information.

The SMM also had a meeting with the JCCC based in Donetsk city. The present UA officer stated that at a previous JCCC meeting all sides now agreed clearer rules and procedures for future rotations of UA troop rotation at Donetsk airport. The RF army officer claimed that the security situation was deteriorating, particularly at Donetsk airport, Pisky (7km NW of Donetsk, government-controlled), Volvo Centre ("DPR"-controlled, and located at the southern entrance to Pisky) and Horlivka (43km NE of Donetsk, "DPR"-controlled). The RF officer reported an increase in ceasefire violations, including a rise in the use of heavy artillery.

There were different accounts on the number of ceasefire violations from JCCC in Donetsk city and JCCC HQ in Debaltseve. The accounts however concurred that the incidents were largely concentrated at Donetsk airport (14), "DPR"-controlled Horlivka (12), Pisky (government-controlled) and Chornukhyne (LPR-controlled, 5km E of Debaltseve).

At the meeting in the JCCC Donetsk office, a UA officer stated that JCCC representatives are reaching out to field commanders to reduce the number of ceasefire violations, and are building a data base to facilitate direct contacts. At the same meeting, the present UA officer at the JCCC Donetsk office informed the SMM that a location for a new JCCC patrolling team (UA and RF army) was established on Ukrainian-controlled territory near the airport. He also informed that the team is providing better liaison to the JCCC.

On 2 January, the SMM visited the town of Starobilsk, (government-controlled territory, 90 km N of Luhansk) and met with two senior representatives from the UA and RF armed forces at the JCCC. The interlocutors informed the SMM that the rotation of the UA officers in Starobilsk has been postponed until 9 January. The SMM was told that all staff were present in Starobilsk and awaiting further instruction from JCCC HQ in Debaltseve before beginning patrols in the area.

On 2 January, the SMM visited Hirske (70 km NW of Luhansk, government-controlled) to verify reports received from a civilian of shelling there on 1 January. The SMM spoke to a police officer at a check point (CP) on the outskirts of Lysychansk (90 km NW of Luhansk, government-controlled). The officer confirmed the shelling and although he could not be certain, believed he heard 20-40 impacts from a ‘GRAD’ system. At a CP before entering Hirske, the SMM spoke with a CP commander who also confirmed the shelling. He stated that on 1 January, at around 20:00hrs in the evening, he had witnessed 80 impacts being fired, reportedly from two ‘GRAD’ systems. The CP commander claimed that the shelling hit two houses 200-300m from the CP and informed the SMM that unexploded ordnance (UXO) remained. However, due to the possible presence of UXO in the area of the CP, the SMM could not confirm the impacts of shelling or rumours about casualties.

The SMM spoke with a press officer at the Odessa regional HQ of the Ministry of Internal Affairs regarding the 23 December bombing (see SMM Daily Report 27 December 2014). The bombing took place outside the HQ of the Council on Public Security, an Odessa-based pro-Maidan self-defence group. The press officer confirmed that the incident is being investigated as a terrorist act by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). 

In Odessa city, the SMM monitored a gathering commemorating the 2 May events (see SMM Daily Reports 4 May and 5 May) at Odessa city’s Kulikovo Pole. Around 20 participants, men and women of varying ages, cleared snow around the makeshift memorial in front of the trade union building and erected a banner with short biographies of the 2 May victims. Approximately 50 police officers were present outside the building. The gathering ended without incident.

Also in Odessa city on 2 January, the SMM monitored a march commemorating the 106th birthday of Stepan Bandera in Odessa. Media reported that the march was banned by the city authorities. The SMM observed a court bailiff read out a court decision prohibiting the march to a “Svoboda” party representative who had notified the city council of the march. There were approximately 100 participants, both men and women ranging in age from 20-50. The event passed without incident. 

The SMM monitored a march through Kyiv city marking the 106th birthday of Stepan Bandera. An estimated 3,500 participants (approx. 70% men) of all ages gathered at Shevchenko Park and marched to Maidan Square carrying “Svoboda” party and “Pravyi Sektor” (Right Sector) party flags. Police was present at the march. The crowd chanted pro-Ukrainian and anti-oligarch slogans before peacefully dispersing around 20:15hrs.

In Kherson, the SMM followed up on the interruption of public transportation from the Ukrainian mainland to the Crimean peninsula (see SMM Daily Report, 2 January 2015). The SMM spoke to the dispatcher at Novotroizke bus station (165km SE of Kherson) who stated that no busses were running on 2 January to Crimea (Simferopol). However, he informed the SMM that there will be a bus service to Simferopol on 3 January at 08:30 hrs. The SMM also spoke with the dispatcher at Henichesk’ bus station (207 km SE of Kherson), who claimed that one bus left on 2 January from Henichesk’ to Simferopol and that there should be another service on 3 January.

On 2 January, the SMM spoke to a representative of the Right Sector party in Kherson, about an attack on their office on 1 January. The incident was reported in local media and on social media. According to the interlocutor, three unknown men broke the door of the office, destroyed computers and attacked two party members. The attackers then fled the scene. The interlocutor did not know who was responsible. The SMM could not independently verify the damage at the premises of the party.

The situation in Kharkiv, Lviv, Dnepropetrovsk, Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk remained calm.