Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 23 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*. The SMM observed a decrease in ceasefire violations at and around Donetsk airport. The SMM observed peaceful ceremonies on the occasion of the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine.

The number of ceasefire violations observed at and around the destroyed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled airport (9km north-west of Donetsk) continued to decrease as during previous days. On 22 August between 7:45 and 13:00hrs, from the position at the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) observation point at “DPR”-controlled Donetsk railway station (8km north-west of Donetsk city centre), at 11:34hrs, the SMM heard a total of four airbursts consistent with 120mm mortar rounds 3.5km north of its position. The SMM also heard several bursts of small-arms fire, occurring at distances ranging between 3 and 4km to the north of its position. Between 12:30 and 17:06hrs, the SMM heard five explosions and small-arms fire 3-4.5km north-north-east of its position[1]. At the same position, on 23 August between 8:00 and 10:00hrs and between 11:35 and 12:35hrs, the SMM heard and in some cases saw a total of 10 explosions at a distance of 3-7km in directions west-south-west and south-south-west. At 13:10hrs the SMM heard and saw four airbursts incoming from an anti-aircraft cannon (30mm), at a distance 3-4km to the north-west of its position.

At a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in Kurdiumivka (government-controlled, 54km north of Donetsk), on 22 August, the SMM observed between 13:00 and 16:15hrs a queue of about 350 civilian cars waiting to cross from government-controlled territory into “DPR”-controlled area. Passengers reported that waiting time was about four hours, and that passengers with small children had priority.

At the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in Volnovakha (government-controlled, 55km north of Mariupol), the SMM observed a queue of approximately 100 civilian vehicles waiting to enter “DPR”-controlled area. On the other side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint about 20 civilian vehicles were queuing.

At the international border crossing between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in Uspenka (“DPR”-controlled, 73km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed 85 civilian vehicles and 53 civilian trucks waiting to cross from Ukraine into the Russian Federation.

On 23 August the SMM monitored the ceremony on the occasion of the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine at the freedom square in Mariupol, which was attended by 500-600 men and women (different age groups). The SMM saw 20 police officers. No incidents were reported. The event was dedicated to the victims of shelling of Mariupol (see SMM Spot Report 24 January 2015).

In “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Smile (32km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM was told by three elderly male residents that shelling had occurred on 22 August between 22:20 and 23:20hrs. The SMM assessed, based on a crater analysis conducted at two craters based in the garden of a house, that shelling was caused by a 122mm tank shell fired from a north-easterly direction.

Approximately two kilometres north-west of “LPR”- controlled Donetskyi (50km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM analysed a fresh crater with a diameter of approximately 3m and of 1m in depth, in the centre of an asphalt covered road. The shape of the crater indicated that the projectile had been fired from a north-easterly direction.

On 23 August the SMM observed another four craters in government-controlled Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk), close to the line of contact, to confirm shelling that, according to Ukrainian Armed Forces representatives at the JCCC, had taken place on 21 August 2015. The Ukrainian Armed Forces position commander said that shelling took place between 17:52 and 19:20hrs. The SMM observed four craters and concluded that incoming rounds greater than 100mm had originated from a southerly direction.

At an “LPR” checkpoint south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk), armed “LPR” members told the SMM that the checkpoint had been shelled between 5:15 and 6:00hrs on 23 August. The SMM conducted an analysis on six craters in the area and assessed that they were consistent with rounds from infantry fighting vehicles (BMP1), mortar, and automatic grenade launcher (AGS 17) coming from a north and north-westerly direction.

On the government-controlled side of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, the SMM observed on 22 August six men and 28 women in their sixties waiting at the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint to cross the bridge. They told the SMM that many people wanted to go to Luhansk hospital for surgeries that were not performed in Stanytsia Luhanska. The closest hospital in government-controlled areas, they said, was in Bilovodsk (74km north-east of Luhansk), which was around 150km away by road. The SMM noticed 30 people waiting at the second Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint located right before the bridge, who were allowed to cross into “LPR” –controlled area.

On 22 August, the SMM visited* eight locations in “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (50km west of Luhansk), observing damage to civilian residences, which numerous residents said had been caused by shelling the previous night. Crater analysis carried out by the SMM indicated that 81 and 122mm mortar rounds – fired from the north, at least in one instance – had caused the damage.

The SMM revisited three “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas, whose locations comply with the respective withdrawal lines. At all three areas, the SMM was denied access*. At one of them, the SMM was allowed to observe stored weapons only from the entrance to the hangar and could thus not verify the presence of heavy weapons*.

The SMM revisited eight Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding areas, whose locations comply with the respective withdrawal lines. At two areas the SMM confirmed that weapons were present. At six areas weapons previously recorded were missing: in total nine towed howitzers 152mm (Msta-B), eight MLRS Grad (122mm) and five towed guns 152mm Giatsint-B (2A36).

The SMM observed the following heavy weapons in areas that are in violation of respective withdrawal lines: in government-controlled area the SMM observed two pieces of 152mm towed guns Giatsint-B (2A36); in “LPR”-controlled area, the SMM saw seven multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) Grad BM-21 (122mm).

In “DPR”-controlled areas near Komsomolske (42km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed what appeared to be a concentration point of equipment and armed individuals: five military-type fuel trucks, eight military-type trucks, two military trucks “Kamaz”, three armoured combat vehicles (ACV), one armoured personnel carrier (APC), one anti-aircraft gun (with ZU-23 mounted), one armoured military truck “Ural” with armed personnel wearing “Spartak” battalion  insignia.

In Chernivtsi the SMM observed on 23 August a peaceful ceremony on the occasion of the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine, gathering about 400 men and women (different age groups) at the Taras Shevchenko monument. The SMM observed about 15 police officers.

On the same occasion, the SMM in Kherson observed about 500, mainly young people of mixed gender, attending a flag-raising event near the city’s tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The SMM observed six police officers. The assembled people moved then to the unveiling of a “Glory to Ukraine” memorial, where the SMM saw two police officers.

On 23 August the SMM met with the head of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Mykolaiv (60km north-west of Kherson). The NGO supports Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in the anti-terrorism operation (ATO), by distributing food and clothing. According to the interlocutor, in the early morning hours on 22 August a self-made explosive device had detonated on the outside window frame of the NGO premises. The SMM observed a crack in that outside window frame; and two already removed metal window frames with broken glass. No casualties were reported. The deputy chief of the regional police confirmed to the SMM that police were investigating the case, under charges of hooliganism with particularly severe damage caused by explosive devices (Art 296/4 of the penal code).

In Lviv the SMM monitored on 23 August the oath ceremony for 400 new patrol police officers. The event took place in the city centre and gathered about 1,000 men and women (different age groups). Also present was Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatseniuk. The SMM observed about 30 police officers overseeing the event.
The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Dnepropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv and Odessa

*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 mine threats, 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. Members of the “LPR” continue to prevent the SMM from monitoring most areas close to the border with the Russian Federation.

Denied access:

• While at a checkpoint near government-controlled Troitske (69km west of Luhansk), the SMM was told by the Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel to turn back immediately. They said they would not contact their commander and they had orders to tell the SMM to leave immediately. The SMM turned back after five minutes.
• At a checkpoint south of “LPR”-controlled Smile (32km north-west of Luhansk) armed “LPR” members stopped the SMM and said they had received a phone call and were told not to allow the SMM to go through the checkpoint without an “LPR” escort. When the SMM explained its mandate the “LPR” members started shouting at the patrol members to leave. The “LPR” members were intoxicated and the SMM could see that the checkpoint commander started dancing with other “LPR” members. After 18 minutes the SMM turned back.
• Armed “LPR” members at a checkpoint in the vicinity of government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk) told the SMM that in order to proceed onto the bridge towards government-controlled side, it needed a “military” escort composed of “LPR” members. The “LPR” members said that they could not provide escorts on Sundays, and the SMM turned around.  
• Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel did not allow the SMM to pass a checkpoint near Berdianske (government-controlled, 18km east of Mariupol). No specific reason was given to the SMM.
• The “commander at a “DPR” checkpoint (6.5km south from form the city centre) and “traffic police” requested the SMM to wait until they receive approval from the “ministry of defense”. After 10 minutes waiting, the SMM was not allowed to proceed further and returned to its base.
• At a “DPR” heavy weapons holding area the present “DPR” members denied the SMM access, claiming they had no instructions to allow access.
• At a “DPR” heavy weapons holding area, the present “DPR” members allowed the SMM to observe stored heavy weapons only from the entrance to the hangar.

Delayed access:

• Armed intoxicated “LPR” members at a checkpoint south of “LPR”-controlled Smile, stopped the SMM and started shouting that the SMM needed to turn around and go away from the checkpoint’’. The SMM called over the phone the “LPR” commander in charge of the checkpoint and handed the phone to the armed personnel who received an order to let the SMM go through the checkpoint. The SMM was allowed to proceed after approximately 15 minutes. While leaving the checkpoint one of the “LPR” members swore at the SMM. Some of the other “LPR” members said “let the SMM go into the forest where they will be killed’’.
• At a “DPR” checkpoint at the south-western outskirts of Donetsk, “police” officers stopped and asked the SMM about an ‘endorsement’. When SMM explained that it is not in possession of such document, the “police’ made a phone call. After 20 minutes the SMM was allowed to proceed.
• While exiting Donetsk city towards a south-westerly direction, the SMM was stopped at a “DPR” checkpoint and told by “DPR” members that it had to wait until further notice. After 10 minutes the SMM was allowed to proceed.

[1] For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations observed, please see the annexed table.

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement” for further information.