Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 4 November 2015

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed explosions and gunfire from its position at Donetsk railway station. In Luhansk, the SMM facilitated repairs to different utility networks.

From the Donetsk railway station in “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Donetsk (6km north-west of Donetsk), between 07:55 and 13:44hrs, the SMM heard 46 undetermined explosions and multiple bursts of small-arms fire and anti-aircraft machine–gun fire in areas 3-10km north-north-west, west and south-east of its position[1]. Within the same time period, the SMM also heard 20 bursts of small-arms fire, including sporadic bursts from heavy machine-guns and automatic grenade launchers in areas 3-5km to the north-north-west.

Near government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed 350 civilian vehicles lined up to cross into government-controlled areas. There were no passengers travelling in the opposite direction towards “DPR”-controlled areas.

The SMM heard in government-controlled Stepove (78km north of Luhansk) bursts of small arms and anti-aircraft gun approximately 10km east of its position.

In “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Khoroshe (35km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard at least two explosions north of its position, from a direction of a known training range in government-controlled Trokhizbenka (33km north-west of Luhansk).

In government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk), the SMM heard five undetermined explosions, most likely cannon fire (73mm) from an infantry fighting vehicle (BMP-1), and 5-6km north of its position. The SMM spoke to Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in Shchastia who stated that explosions had come from a training area in government-controlled Dmytrivka (43km north of Luhansk), whose location is known to the SMM.

The SMM facilitated a window of silence for an international expert on water infrastructure to gain access to “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (57km west of Luhansk) to assess damage caused to the infrastructure. A meeting between the expert and relevant local specialists was facilitated by the SMM. The main topic was the water supply situation in the two “LPR”-controlled areas of Pervomaisk (57km west of Luhansk) and Stakhanov (50km west of Luhansk).

In the “LPR”-controlled area between the Prince Igor monument and the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM facilitated a window of silence to enable repair works by the Luhansk Electric Company Network. The company employees were cutting trees to facilitate access to pylons to be repaired east of the bridge checkpoint in the “LPR”-controlled area (approximately 400m from the river and 3km east of bridge).

The SMM facilitated dialogue between commanders on both sides of the contact line in the vicinity of government-controlled Krymske (43km north-west of Luhansk). Three officers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces and three armed members from “LPR” met in order to discuss the implementation of ceasefire agreement. The sides agreed to contact each other in order to resolve any cases involving the use of weapons. During the meeting, the SMM observed the removal of one destroyed infantry fighting vehicle (BMP) as arranged and agreed by both sides.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of measures, the SMM revisited three Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent weapons storage site whose location corresponded with the respective withdrawal lines. At all three sites, the SMM observed all previously-recorded weapon systems present and no additional weapons (artillery), as stated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces declaration for withdrawal of weapons.

The SMM revisited two “DPR” permanent weapons storage sites whose locations corresponded with the respective withdrawal lines. At both sites, the SMM observed that all previously-recorded weapons were present. The SMM noted that the serial numbers mostly matched those in the inventory list provided.

The SMM revisited eight Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding areas, whose locations corresponded with the respective withdrawal lines and found a total of 32 weapons absent at five of them. Three anti-tank guns (Rapira, 100mm) were absent as of 4 November, four self-propelled howitzers (Gvozdika, 122mm), four towed guns (Giatsint-B, 122mm) and eight anti-tank systems (Shturm, (9K114) were absent at one area since 12 July. At another area five self-propelled howitzers (Akatsiya, 152mm) were absent since 24 September. At the third area, one self-propelled howitzer (Akatsiya, 152mm) from the previously four recorded was absent. Another self-propelled howitzer (Akatsiya,152mm) was absent from the fourth area in comparison to SMM’s previous visit of this area on 2 October 2015. Six anti-tank cannons D48 (85mm) were absent at the fifth area as compared with SMM’s previous visit on 2 October.

The SMM revisited two “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas, whose location corresponded with the respective withdrawal lines and noted all weapons were present.

In areas beyond respective withdrawal lines, at a known training area in “LPR”-controlled Uspenka (23km south-west of Luhansk), the SMM observed ten howitzers (D-30, 122mm) and eight self-propelled howitzers (Gvozdivka, 122mm). No live-fire exercises were observed at this location. The SMM was unable to check serial numbers at the location to verify the withdrawal of weapons in accordance with the Minsk package.

Outside the Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv, the SMM observed some 500 members (predominantly men in their sixties) of the “Chernobyl Union” protesting against high utility rates. The crowd was addressed by the Radical Party leader, Oleh Lyashko, who expressed support for Chernobyl veterans and announced another meeting for 7 November in front of the Cabinet of Ministers building. The SMM observed four police officers overseeing the event and 10 police officers securing the entrance to the Government building. The SMM also observed 37 fixed tents in front of the Cabinet of Ministers building, set up by the “tariff maidan” initiative, that have been in place since end of October (see SMM Daily Report 27 October 2015).

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

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by the parties and security considerations, including mine threats, damaged infrastructure, and the unpredictability of the situation in Donbas. Armed individuals continue to prevent the SMM from monitoring most areas close to the border with the Russian Federation in parts of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government.

Denied access:

• At one Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding area a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer denied access to SMM, claiming that prior notification was needed for future SMM’s visits to the area.
• In government-controlled Chabanivka (67km north-west of Luhansk),  Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel at a checkpoint denied passage to the SMM  on the grounds that they did not have the commander’s permission, and claimed that they had been given permission to shoot the SMM if they attempted to pass. The Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel were visibly intoxicated. The SMM left the checkpoint after ten minutes.

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

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate”.