Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 20 March 2016

This report is for the media and general public.

The SMM observed a decrease in the number of ceasefire violations on both 19 and 20 March compared with 18 March, and notably registered no violations overnight from 19-20 March in Donetsk region. The situation remained stable in Luhansk. The SMM followed up on allegations of shelling and conducted crater analysis. It facilitated the repair of essential infrastructure. The Mission monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement mainly in areas not controlled by the Government, including in border areas.* The Mission observed the Festival of Equality and violent counter-demonstrations in Lviv.

The SMM observed a decrease in ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on 19 and 20 March, compared with 18 March.[1] On 19 March, whilst at the Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), between 07:15 and 16:32hrs[2], the SMM heard 58 undetermined explosions, 11 bursts and 67 single shots of heavy-machine-gun fire 2-10km north-east, north-north-east, north-north-west, west-north-west and west of the SMM position. On 20 March, whilst positioned at the same location between 15:39 and 16:30hrs, the SMM heard 122 undetermined explosions, 32 bursts and 39 single shots of small-arms fire 3-5km north and north-west of its position.

In the areas of government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) and “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM continued to record numerous ceasefire violations. Although the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) had given the SMM security assurances, firing incidents continued. On 19 March between 09:20 and 10:40hrs, at the eastern entrance of Avdiivka the SMM heard one burst of anti-aircraft gun, intermittent heavy-machine-gun, small-arms and sniper fire, as well as two impacts (82mm mortar) 2km north-north-east of its position. Whilst also positioned in Avdiivka, the SMM heard intermittent small-arms fire and one impact (120mm mortar) 3-6km south-east of its position. Whilst positioned 4km west of Yasynuvata, the SMM heard one undetermined explosion, seven bursts and two single shots of small arms less than 1km north and north-north-east of its position.

In Luhansk region, the situation remained relatively calm, though the SMM observed several ceasefire violations on 19 March. Positioned near “LPR”-controlled Kalynove-Borshchuvate (61km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard two shots of small arms approximately 1km east of its position. Later the same day, whilst in “LPR”-controlled Shymshynivka (30km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard four undetermined explosions approximately 5km west of its position. The SMM heard eight undetermined explosions whilst in government-controlled Bobrove (56km north-west of Luhansk), south and south-east of its position. Whilst at the “LPR”-checkpoint south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM heard four small arms shots approximately 700m north-east of its position.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures, on 19 March the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage site whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines and noted that 30 tanks (T-64, 125mm) and four mortars (2B9M, 82mm) previously verified were absent. The SMM observed additional weapons for the first time.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons as foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures. The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October 2015 notification.

In government-controlled areas, in violation of respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed an artillery convoy consisting of eight multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) and nine additional trucks traveling near Kostiantynivka (60km north of Donetsk). On 19 March the SMM also observed one surface-to-air missile system (SA-13 Strela-10, 120mm) 5km north of government-controlled Shchastia (20km north-west of Luhansk) and one surface-to-air missile system (SA-8) near government-controlled Novoaidar (49km north-west of Luhansk). On 20 March the SMM observed one surface-to-air missile system (SA-13 Strela-10, 120mm) followed by two trucks with ammunition near Avdiivka traveling north-east.

In “DPR”-controlled areas, in violation of respective withdrawal lines, on 19 March the SMM observed two green tubes on the ground approximately 50 and 100 meters north of the H-15 highway near “DPR”-controlled Luhanske (15km south-west of Donetsk), which the SMM assessed as anti-tank missile systems (9K111 Fagot, 122mm). On 16 March, aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed three piece of MLRS located near “DPR”-controlled Makiivka (12km north-east of Donetsk).

The SMM revisited locations known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they do not comply with the specific criteria set out for permanent storage sites in the 16 October 2015 notification.

In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed six pieces of towed artillery (2A36 Giatsint-B, 152mm) and 11 MLRS (9K51/BM-21, 122mm). The SMM noted that four MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) were absent.

In “DPR”-controlled areas beyond respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed 11 self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) and two towed anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm).

The SMM observed the presence of other hardware. On 19 March, the SMM observed: an armoured personnel carrier (BTR-70), one armoured artillery reconnaissance vehicle (SNAR-10) parked and another being transported on a flatbed truck in the area of government-controlled Karlivka (28km north-west of Donetsk). On 20 March, the SMM observed one armoured combat vehicle (BMP-1) mounted with an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23, 23mm) near Avdiivka.

On 19 March the SMM also observed 30 Kamaz and Ural trucks, five armoured combat vehicles (BMP-1, 73mm) and possibly two additional armoured combat vehicles (BMP-1, 73mm), two armoured personnel carriers (MT-LB) and one tank recovery vehicle (T-62) at what the SMM assessed as a maintenance depot near Leninsky district of “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city; one MT-LB mounted with an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23, 23mm) near Kalynove-Borshchuvate, and one stationary MT-LB near “LPR”-controlled Irmino (54km north-west of Luhansk). On 20 March, the SMM observed two armoured personnel carriers (BTR-80) and two military-type trucks traveling north from “DPR”-controlled Telmanove (67km south of Donetsk), and one MT-LB in the proximity of Kalynove-Borshchuvate.

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure.  On 19 and 20 March, the SMM conducted mirror patrols to support further repairs at the water filtration station near Yasynuvata. While onsite with JCCC representatives and Voda Donbassa company workers and management, between 09:03 and 09:26hrs on 19 March, the SMM heard one loud explosion 1km north-north-east, one single shot and several bursts of small-arms fire 300-500m north-north-east, and one single shot of small arms approximately 100m north of its position. The following day, between 08:47 and 14:41hrs, the SMM heard 18 undetermined explosions, two bursts of small-arms fire, and one burst of heavy-machine-gun fire 0.5-5km south, south-east, south-south-east, south-south-west and north-north-west of its position. The SMM and the repair teams remained onsite to continue repair work on both days.

The SMM facilitated the adherence to the ceasefire and marking of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). On 19 March, the SMM facilitated access for a Ukrainian Armed Forces demining team 2km north-east of Avdiivka to survey and mark mined areas.  

The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis. On 19 March, SMM visited “LPR”-controlled Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk) and spoke with armed men who claimed that between 17:30 and 18:20hrs on 18 March, positions in the vicinity of “LPR”-controlled Molodizhne (62km west of Luhansk) and Kalynove had come under fire. The SMM then spoke with three women (65-75 years old) who said that they had heard many loud explosions in the fields near Kalynove, which had shaken their glass windows, during the same time. The SMM deployed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to observe the area, and confirmed three new craters in the area, which it assessed as caused by 120mm mortar fire. The SMM then accessed one of the craters by foot for further analysis, and assessed that the round that had caused the impact had originated from the south-west. The SMM conducted crater analysis on two additional impact sites in the vicinity of an “LPR” checkpoint 2km south-west of Molodizhne. Both craters were located on tarmac surface and the SMM assessed them as recent. Based on the size, depth and visible ridges of the craters, the SMM assessed that both projectiles originated from a westerly direction and were consistent with BMP-1 fire.

On 20 March, the SMM visited the “DPR”-controlled part of Zaitseve (50km north-east of Donetsk) to follow up on reports of mortar fire from 18 March. The SMM observed a fresh crater, which it assessed as caused by a 120mm mortar round in the centre of the “DPR”-controlled part of Zaitseve fired from the north-west, as well as impacts from 82mm mortar, automatic grenade, BMP-1, sniper, and heavy machine-gun rounds near a closed elementary school.

The SMM monitored border areas not controlled by the Government* and observed a calm situation. On 19 March at the border crossing point near Izvaryne (53km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed 120 civilian cars (87 with Ukrainian and 33 with Russian Federation license plates), five civilian buses (all with Ukrainian license plates), and ten cargo trucks (seven with Ukrainian and three with Russian Federation license plates) in a queue to cross into the Russian Federation. The SMM observed low traffic at the Chervonopartyzansk (64km south-east of Luhansk), Dovzhanskyi (86km south-east of Luhansk) and Sievernyi (50km south-east of Luhansk) border crossing points. Five civilian trucks (all Ukraine license plates) were observed queuing in the direction of the Russian Federation at Chervnopartyzansk and six cargo trucks were lined up in the same direction at Dovzhanskyi.

The SMM monitored checkpoints along contact line and observed a calm situation. On March 19, in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk) at the first Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint the SMM observed 100 civilians (men and women), and a queue of 185 civilian vehicles and six buses heading west.  There were no vehicles heading east toward Donetsk. At a second Ukrainian checkpoint, there were approximately 80 vehicles and 40 mini-busses waiting to travel toward government-controlled areas (all Ukrainian licence plates) and approximately 270 vehicles waiting to travel toward the other direction. The SMM also observed approximately 100 civilians (60 per cent women, 40 per cent men) waiting at the checkpoint to travel toward government-controlled areas. On 19 March, the SMM also visited government-controlled Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk) and observed preparations for opening a civilian checkpoint point including ten construction workers paving the road. The SMM also observed a crane and other machinery at the construction site, along with concrete blocks placed around the crossing point to streamline the movement of vehicles.

At the “LPR” checkpoint at the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed approximately 150 people (60 years old or older), waiting to cross from the government- to the “LPR”-controlled side of the bridge. The SMM observed a queue of approximately 20 people waiting to cross in the other direction. The SMM spoke with three women (between 30-60 years old) on the government-controlled side of the bridge, who said they had been waiting between three and five hours to pass the government-controlled checkpoint.

On 19 March, the SMM observed the site of the Festival of Equality organized by the Ukrainian non-governmental organization Insight LGBT at a hotel in Lviv. The SMM observed 40 police officers, 80 anti-riot police officers equipped with masks, vests and truncheons, two regular police vehicles, several mini-buses, two police vehicles from the explosives unit, and one bus, cordoned off with white and red tape. At approximately 14:00hrs, the SMM observed that the police began evacuating hotel guests, including those attending the Festival of Equality, and later learned from police on site that they received an anonymous call claiming that there were explosives in the hotel.  Anti-riot police formed a corridor between the hotel entrance and three mini-buses, which were used for evacuation. During this time, approximately 150-200 activists gathered around the police perimeter and began shouting at the people evacuating the hotel. When the buses were loaded, the SMM saw that activists chased the buses and continued shouting and throwing stones at the buses. No injuries were reported and the SMM did not observe any detainments of participants in the riot. By 17:00hrs, the activists and police had left the area.

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

*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. “LPR” members continue to prevent the SMM from monitoring many areas alongside the border in parts of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government, and consistently require that the SMM submit patrol plans in advance.

Denial of access:

• On 19 March, at the border crossing point near “DPR”-controlled Marynivka (78km east of Donetsk) two armed men denied the SMM access to the customs area, and stated that the SMM is required to stay 500m away from the border crossing point. One “DPR” member also demanded that the SMM inform “DPR” members in advance and that the SMM be accompanied by a “DPR” “police” escort.
• On 19 March, armed men stopped the SMM at a temporary checkpoint near a shooting range in “DPR”-controlled Ternove (57km east of Donetsk) and denied passage to continue on to the village, citing an on-going live-firing exercise. After waiting 30 minutes, the SMM departed.
• On 19 March, at a “DPR” checkpoint at the western entrance to Kominternove (23km east-northeast of Mariupol), armed men did not allow the SMM to pass through the checkpoint.
• On 19 March two armed men stopped the SMM approximately 200m from the “LPR”-controlled Dovzhanskyi (85km south-east of Luhansk) border crossing point, demanded to know the purpose of the visit, and requested to inspect the patrol plan and note patrol members’ names. The SMM explained the purpose of the visit but refused to provide patrol plans or permit the armed members to write down the SMM names. The SMM departed after 15 minutes.
• On 20 March, at a checkpoint located at the western exit of Oktiabr (85km south of Donetsk), armed “DPR” members denied the SMM access to the village after demanding to see the SMM trip ticket and patrol plan, which the SMM refused to show.
• On 20 March, near “LPR”-controlled Izvaryne (50km south-east of Luhansk) border crossing point, armed men stopped the SMM who demanded that the SMM leave the border area, and referring to a “decree”, according to which they said the SMM was not allowed to approach the border zone. An armed member also requested the SMM patrol plan and ID cards. The SMM refused to provide the patrol plan, but showed ID cards.

Other Impediments:

• On 19 March, the SMM long range UAV was exposed to dual-global positioning system (GPS) jamming in government-controlled areas of Kalynove (35km north of Donetsk) and Katerynivka (47km north of Donetsk). Due to that, the UAV returned to the base.
• On 20 March in “DPR”-controlled Kashtanove (13km north-east of Donetsk), a “DPR” member threatened that he would open fire if he perceived that the SMM was monitoring in an area where he said Ukrainian Armed Forces could be re-supplying positions.

* 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”.

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

[2] All times in this report refer to Eastern European time.