Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 20 February 2015

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted by third parties and security considerations – noted that fighting continued in and around Donetsk airport and Shyrokyne and, to a lesser extent, in a number of other locations.

The SMM heard shelling lasting over an hour around Styla (“Donetsk People’s Republic” DPR-controlled, 34km south of Donetsk), but could not assess if it was incoming or outgoing. Whilst in Soledar (government-controlled, 77km north-north-east of Donetsk) and in Panteleimonivka (“DPR”-controlled, 26km north of Donetsk), the SMM heard sporadic shelling coming from the general direction of Debaltseve (80km north of Donetsk). The SMM heard incoming and outgoing artillery in areas to the north and west of Donetsk city. The SMM heard ten distant explosions while stationary in Starobesheve (“DPR”-controlled, 32km south-east of Donetsk). In Ukrayinsk (government-controlled, 33km west of Donetsk) and Kurakhove (government-controlled, 41km west of Donetsk), the SMM heard distant artillery explosions. The SMM, from their location on the western outskirts of Shyrokyne (125km south of Donetsk, 23km east of Mariupol) heard mortar shelling and Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) fire and assessed it as emanating from the centre of the town.

The SMM went to the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination Headquarters (JCCC HQ) temporarily relocated to Soledar (government-controlled, 77km north-north-east of Donetsk). The Ukrainian Major-General, Head of the Ukrainian side to the JCCC and the Russian Major-General, Representative of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to the JCCC, were present with members of the “DPR” and “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”). According to the Russian Major-General, two JCCC teams (one from Mariupol, the other from Telmanove) were dispatched to Donetsk airport to encourage both sides to cease fire. The Ukrainian Major General told the SMM that the simultaneous release of prisoners (“exchange of prisoners” in an “all for all” swap) was expected to begin very soon. The Russian Major-General said that the “DPR” and “LPR” had started to withdraw heavy weapons.

Local residents in Yenakiieve (“DPR”-controlled, 37km north of Donetsk) and Panteleimonivka (“DPR”-controlled, 26km north of Donetsk) told the SMM that there had been no recent shelling in their areas and that schools (closed for safety reasons since December) had re-opened in both places on 18 February. The SMM did not verify this.

In Styla (“DPR”-controlled, 34km south-south-east of Donetsk) the SMM spoke to four women of different ages from the local population who told the SMM that they had just returned to the village after having left in early December.

While in Panteleimonivka (“DPR”-controlled, 26km north of Donetsk) the SMM was approached by four armed men, one of whom identified himself as a commander of the “DPR” Vostok battalion, who said the SMM had no authority to be in the area and asked them to leave. He told the SMM to take a road to the south, and not to use the E-50 highway, allegedly due to risk of incoming shelling.

Military personnel at a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near Orlivske (government-controlled, 79km south of Donetsk) requested that all SMM members show their passports. One soldier made some phone calls and after approximately 25 minutes, allowed the SMM to proceed. At another Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint closer to the village, the SMM was once again requested to show passports. After speaking with someone over radio, one soldier refused to let the SMM pass as, according to him, they had not provided advance information about their itinerary. This was the first time the SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted in this area.

At the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (“LPR”-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk) the SMM observed the transfer of a wounded Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier from “LPR” members to the Ukrainian authorities. An interlocutor from the “LPR” told the SMM that similar exchanges of wounded and dead soldiers and fighters would take place in the coming days.

The SMM heard outgoing shelling 5km south-south-west of Kapitanove (government-controlled, 72km north-west of Luhansk). The SMM heard the sounds of artillery rounds coming from 10km south-west of Novoaidar (government-controlled, 58km north-west of Luhansk) and outgoing shelling south-east of Muratove (government-controlled, 48km north-west of Luhansk). From an area south-east of Hrechyshkyne (government-controlled, 74km north-west of Luhansk) 18 outgoing artillery rounds were heard by the SMM.

In Kharkiv on 20 February, the SMM monitored a ceremony marking the first anniversary of events in the city in February 2014. Around 250 people, of all ages (mostly males) were present. Ninety (60 men, 30 women) police officers were present.

In Lviv on 20 February, the SMM monitored a commemoration of events in Kyiv in February 2014. The event also marked the deaths of “Anti-Terrorist Operation” (ATO) participants. The commemoration was organised by the Co-ordination Council of National Resistance Headquarters. Approximately 800 women and 1,200 men, of all ages, held a minute’s silence for the deceased, followed by prayers and speeches. Twelve police officers (3 women; 9 men) were present.

The SMM observed commemorations in Kyiv on 20 February, marking the first anniversary of the Institutska Street shootings, near Maidan. On Institutska Street and on Maidan itself, the SMM observed hundreds of people – in small groups or individually – gathered in various commemorations. The atmosphere was peaceful. Dozens of police officers were also present.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Dnepropetrovsk, Odessa, Kherson, Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk.