Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 13 August 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”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. Ceasefire violations were recorded by the SMM in numerous locations. The SMM facilitated a ceasefire in Luhansk that enabled water repairs to be completed. The SMM monitored the situation in areas close to Starohnativka.

The overall security situation at and around “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Donetsk airport (9km north-west of Donetsk) remained tense. From the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) observation point at Donetsk railway station (“DPR”-controlled, 8km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM recorded a total of 104 explosions and small-arms fire during the day at a distance of 2-7km in multiple directions. Two explosions in an area 2km north-east of the observation point (possibly in “DPR”-controlled Spartak) were noticeably louder than the others, the first of which created a mushroom-shaped cloud.

The SMM observed damage in government-controlled Avdiivka (15km north-west of Donetsk) following reports from Ukrainian Armed Forces JCCC representatives of shelling. The SMM conducted crater analysis on impacts near five civilian houses. One house and one shed were destroyed. The SMM assessed that the craters were caused by 122mm calibre artillery fired from the south-east. In another area of Avdiivka the SMM saw damage to three apartments, one of which was destroyed by shelling. The south-facing walls had sustained shell impacts. According to Ukrainian Armed Forces JCCC representatives, one civilian was injured. The SMM analysed a crater at the location and assessed it to have been caused by 122mm calibre artillery fired from the south.

In government-controlled Lebedynske (16km east of Mariupol), the SMM observed six craters of 2.5 metres diameter, all within a 50 metre radius. No significant damage was observed. The SMM conducted an analysis of the craters and assessed that they were caused by 122mm artillery shells fired from the north-east. Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers said the shelling had occurred the previous night between 21:00 and 03:00hrs. Separately, five residents (two men and three women) corroborated this.

The SMM continued to facilitate ceasefire efforts to allow for water pipeline repairs to be completed between “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) and government-controlled Maiorsk (44km north of Donetsk). “DPR” members at the last checkpoint before the repair site told the SMM that the checkpoint had been hit the night before with mortars, automatic grenade launchers and small arms. The SMM observed damage to the newly repaired pipelines nearby and two fresh impacts assessed to have been caused by a 30mm calibre grenade (BMG) fired from the north-north-west. An unexploded mortar shell (assessed to be 120mm calibre) was observed in a crater 20m away from the checkpoint, which the SMM assessed to have been fired from the north. Before repair work could start, the SMM heard 48 incoming artillery or mortar explosions 5km east of its location between 11:40 and 12:20hrs. A short time later the SMM heard 12 incoming explosions 10km south-east of its location. During the approximately three hours that repairs were ongoing, the SMM heard one incoming mortar or artillery explosion 4km to the north-east.

The SMM assessed the security situation as calm in the government-controlled villages of Andriivka, Bakhchovyk, Kamianka, Prokhorivka, Chycherine, Obiline and Svobodne (between 38km and 52km north and north-east of Mariupol). Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel near Bakhchovyk (42km north-east of Mariupol) told the SMM that mortar shells struck areas to the east of their location over recent nights. In the village of Kamianka (38km north-east of Mariupol) the SMM met two female residents who said they had heard, over the last few nights, outgoing fire from the village in the general direction of Hranitne (47km north-east of Mariupol).

Although the SMM did not reach Starohnativka, SMM unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) spotted military hardware in various locations in the general area: in and around “DPR”-controlled Bila Kamyanka (52km south-east of Donetsk, 54km north-east of Mariupol), seven armoured personnel carriers (APC); in and around “DPR”-controlled Novolaspa (49km south of Donetsk, 58km north-north-east of Mariupol), three APCs and a military-type truck; east of government-controlled Starohnativka (51km south of Donetsk, 53km north-north-east of Mariupol), five APCs, a main battle tank (MBT) and a military-type truck; in and around “DPR”-controlled Komsomolske (40km south-east of Donetsk; 76km north-east of Mariupol), four APCs and seven military-type trucks; and, in “DPR”-controlled Michurine (55km south-east of Donetsk, 54km north-east of Mariupol), four MBTs and a military-type truck.

In government-controlled Muratove (50km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard six explosions in an area to the south-east. The SMM, in government-controlled Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk), heard what it assessed to be two outgoing heavy artillery bursts, fired from north-east of the SMM’s position and impacting in an area to the south. In government-controlled Staryi Aidar (20km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM heard six artillery rounds outgoing from an area to the north-east of the SMM’s location. The SMM heard six incoming explosions south-east of the SMM’s position near government-controlled Komyshuvakha (66km west of Luhansk).

In “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Raivka (16km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM facilitated a ceasefire, arranged with representatives of the JCCC, to enable workers from the “Luhanskvoda” company to repair water and electricity infrastructure. Despite the ceasefire, the SMM heard around thirty single shots between 13:30 and 13:50hrs consistent with small arms fire from the north. Repairs were completed and as a result, northern parts of Luhansk city now receive sufficient water supply to meet basic needs.

Staff at a kindergarten in “LPR”-controlled Volodarske (53km south-east of Luhansk) told the SMM that they were preparing to implement the Russian curriculum, but that new textbooks had not arrived. According to the principal of a local school, teachers will give children mine awareness training on their return to kindergarten.

In government-controlled Borivske (65km north-west of Luhansk), a village council secretary told the SMM that the council is holding meetings with the local population to gauge their willingness to merge with Sievierodonetsk administration, as part of the decentralization process which would lead to the dissolution of the village council.

The SMM revisited two Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding areas whose locations comply with the respective withdrawal lines. One area was abandoned. At the second, two of the six howitzers (2S1) previously recorded were missing (see SMM Daily Report, 9 June 2015).

The SMM observed the following weapons’ movements in areas that are in violation of respective withdrawal lines. In “DPR”-controlled Khartsyzk (34km east of Donetsk), the SMM observed two Ural-type trucks with a 120mm towed mortar, travelling east from Donetsk city. In a government-controlled area, the SMM saw an infantry fighting vehicle (BMP-2) fitted with a 135mm calibre anti-tank guided missile (9M113 Konkurs).

The SMM observed a public meeting on decentralization in Holubivka (45km north-east of Dnepropetrovsk), organized by the Dnepropetrovsk Office for Reform, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides information on decentralization, and is headed by a member of the Regional Council. The SMM observed a robust exchange of views between the speakers and some of the approximately 60 participants (generally aged over 45, mostly women). Many of the participants expressed their scepticism of the benefits that would come from merging their villages to form larger units as foreseen in the decentralization process.

In Kherson representatives of the NGO Krym SOS told the SMM that the implementation of Decree 367 of the Cabinet of Ministers (Resolution 367 of 4 June 2015, Order of Entry and Exit from/to Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine) has caused problems for some attempting to cross the administrative boundary line to and from Crimea. Babies and young children, having travelled with their parents from Crimea to Kherson to obtain a birth certificate, encounter problems re-entering Crimea as they do not possess passports. The procedure to obtain a passport is via court and is time-consuming. According to the NGO’s lawyer they receive 5-15 calls daily concerning children being denied permission to cross.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kharkiv, Odessa, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Kyiv.

*Restrictions on SMM monitoring, access and freedom of movement:

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by the parties and security considerations, including the presence – and lack of information on the whereabouts – of mines, and damaged infrastructure. The security situation in Donbas is fluid and unpredictable and the ceasefire does not hold everywhere. Self-imposed restrictions on movement into high-risk areas have impinged on SMM patrolling activities, particularly in areas not controlled by the government. Most areas along the Ukraine-Russian Federation international border, particularly those controlled by the “LPR”, have ordinarily been placed off limits to the SMM.

Delay:

• At a “DPR” checkpoint south of Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk) the SMM was asked to fill in “emigration” forms for people leaving “DPR”-controlled areas. After 35 minutes, the SMM was allowed to pass without completing a form.

Denied access:

• At a “DPR”-controlled checkpoint near Donetsk (7km south-south-east of Donetsk), the SMM was told that it could travel to “DPR”-controlled Starobesheve (32km south-east of Donetsk) though no further. At a checkpoint in Starobesheve, “DPR” members prevented the SMM from travelling further due to “heavy shelling”. The SMM did not hear any shelling during the time at the checkpoint.
• The SMM was turned back by Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel at a checkpoint near government-controlled Popasna (59km north-west of Luhansk). The checkpoint personnel indicated that the area was a restricted zone and furthermore, that the SMM could be arrested if they did not leave.
• In government-controlled Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM was denied passage through a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint and prevented from accessing a residential area nearby, with no reason given.
• Approximately two kilometers north of “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (57km west of Luhansk), the SMM was stopped by approximately ten armed “LPR” members who denied the SMM further access to the area.

For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table.