Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 17 April 2016

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM recorded a lower level of violence in Donetsk region over the weekend. In Luhansk region the SMM continued to register ceasefire violations in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska in the evening hours and registered similar numbers of explosions compared to the night of 15 April. The SMM followed up on allegations of shelling in areas near the contact line. It observed weapons in the security zone, and noted that weapons were absent from storage sites. The Mission monitored four areas and was denied access to one area on the border still outside government control. Both sides restricted the SMM’s freedom of movement*. The SMM saw a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint had been moved 3km closer to a “DPR” position.

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on 16 and on 17 of April, each compared to 15 April.[1] On 16 April whilst positioned near Yasynuvata (“DPR”-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard nine impacts and 15 explosions caused by outgoing rounds of unknown weapon systems, 85 undetermined explosions, more than 20 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, as well as 97 bursts and 184 single shots of small-arms fire at a distance of 1-5km north-west, west-north-west, west and south-west. Positioned near Avdiivka (government-controlled, 17km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard nine impacts of automatic grenade launcher (SPG-9) rounds, two impacts of 82mm mortar rounds, one air explosion of a mortar round, four bursts of heavy machine-gun, one impact of automatic-grenade-launcher round, and seven bursts of small-arms fire at locations 2-4km east, and south-south-east of its position. On 17 April, whilst positioned near Yasynuvata, the SMM heard 53 undetermined explosions, 25 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, 51 bursts and at least 278 single shots from small-arms, all at 0.5-12km west-south-west, west, north-west and north of its position.

Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) on the night of 15 April, the SMM heard more than 20 explosions of mortar or artillery of an undetermined calibre and at least 30 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 10-12km south-south-west. In Svitlodarsk in the evening hours of 15 April the SMM heard four explosions assessed as caused by mortar rounds, two automatic grenade launcher explosions, six undetermined explosions, ten heavy-machine-gun bursts and two-three bursts of small-arms fire at locations 2-12km south-east, south, south-south-west and south-west of its position. On the night of 16 April in Svitlodarsk, the SMM heard 117 explosions it assessed as caused by artillery or mortar, 15 bursts of heavy machine-gun and 13 rounds of automatic grenade launcher 4-12km south and west-south-west of its position. On the same night in Horlivka, the SMM observed continuous shelling along the contact line. The SMM heard at least 97 bursts of anti-aircraft gun, at least 67 explosions assessed as caused by 82-mm mortar, at least 145 undetermined explosions, some 170 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, at least 180 bursts of small-arms fire, some 42 explosions assessed as caused by artillery.

From a position at “DPR”-controlled Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre) on 16 April, the SMM heard nine undetermined explosions, 35 bursts of small-arms fire and 132 single shots of small-arms fire at locations ranging between 2 to 8km north-west to north-east of its position. On 17 April, the SMM whilst at the same observation point, saw and heard three impacts of which two were assessed as caused by 82mm mortars, two airbursts of anti-aircraft gun, nine undetermined explosions, one impact explosion and three single shots of small-arms fire, all at the same locations 2-10km north-west, north-north-west, north and north-north-east.

Positioned in Donetsk city centre, on the night of 16 April, the SMM registered seven undetermined explosions 7-10km north-west and four bursts of small-arms fire 5-7km north-west of its location. Between 01:33 and 02:21hrs on 17 April, the SMM heard six undetermined explosions 7-10km north-west of its position.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Kominternove (23km north-east of Mariupol), on 17 April, the SMM registered nine undetermined explosions and five shots of small-arms fire south-south-east of its position, two undetermined explosions and three bursts 3km north of its position, two bursts and six single shots of small-arms fire at 0.3km north-north-west.

In Luhansk region the SMM continued to observe a heightened level of violence in the area of government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk). During the night of 16-17 April the SMM heard multiple explosions (assessed as caused by both outgoing and impacting rounds of mortar, artillery, and automatic grenade launcher) and 30mm cannon shots interspersed by heavy-machine-gun fire. Three impact flashes were also observed near the Prince Ihor monument. The most intense period was between 23:30 and 00:15hrs when the SMM recorded some 100 explosions. The distance and location of these ceasefire violations was assessed to be 3-5km south of its position.

The SMM followed up on allegations of shelling in areas near the contact line. On 16 April, in a treeline among abandoned military trenches and equipment just north of Nikishyne (“DPR”-controlled, 60km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed a fresh crater. On the same day the SMM saw a fresh crater in the middle of the H-20 road near a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near Berezove (government-controlled, 31km south-west of Donetsk). On 17 April, in Kominternove (“DPR”-controlled, 23km north-east of Mariupol) the SMM saw unexploded ordnance (UXO) and fresh craters. In the garden of a house the owner showed the SMM two unexploded anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher (RPG-7) grenades three meters apart. The SMM had already seen one of the UXOs on 16 April. A “DPR” checkpoint is located some 100m south-east of the house. At another house in the village, the SMM saw damage it assessed as caused by an anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher (RPG-7) grenade, also fired from a north-north-westerly direction. The SMM observed shrapnel damage to the wall and a shattered window of the house, and damage to a civilian vehicle parked right next to the impact spot. No injuries or casualties were reported. At the northern edge of the village, the SMM saw two more unexploded anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher (RPG-7) grenades and two fresh craters. The SMM assessed that both craters were caused by 120mm mortar rounds fired from a north-north-westerly direction. On 17 April, the SMM analysed eight fresh craters on both sides of a dirt road, south of government-controlled Krymske (43km north-west of Luhansk). The craters were located in fields close to a Ukrainian Armed Force position. In some of the craters the SMM saw fresh metal remnants of 82mm mortars. The SMM assessed that all mortars were fired from a southerly direction.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of measures, the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage sites whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines and found that one site was still abandoned as it has been since 11 February 2016 and the nine tanks (T-64) and three mortars (2B9M Vasilek, 82mm) previously verified as withdrawn to this site were missing.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines the SMM observed seven tanks (T-72) in “LPR”-controlled Luhansk city.

Beyond the withdrawal lines but outside storage sites, on 16 April the SMM saw two mortars (2B9M Vasilek, 82mm) near government-controlled Novoaidar (49km north-west of Luhansk). On 17 April the SMM observed 21 tanks near “LPR”-controlled Kruhlyk (31km south-west of Luhansk).

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

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines the SMM saw seven multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS; BM-21 Grad, 122mm), seven self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), and ten towed howitzers (five 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm, and five D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) in Luhansk city. In government-controlled areas the SMM observed one anti-tank guided missile system (9K111 or 9K113) near Toshkivka (61km north-west of Luhansk).

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 21 MLRS (11 BM-21 Grad, 122mm, and ten BM-27 Uragan, 220mm). One MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) was noted as missing as it has been since 23 February 2016.

In “DPR”-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and saw six self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm).

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles (ACV) and anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone. On 16 April in non-government-controlled areas the SMM saw: one stationary ACV (BTR-70) near the Oktiabr mine (“DPR”-controlled, 9km north-west of Donetsk); on 17 April - one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) and one ACV (BMP-1) at an “LPR”-controlled checkpoint near Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk) and two ACVs (BMP-1) in “LPR”-controlled Vesela Hora (16km north of Luhansk) near an “LPR”-controlled checkpoint. In government-controlled areas the SMM saw: on 16 April, one ACV (BTR-60) near a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint at the exit of government-controlled Karlivka (26km north-west of Donetsk). On 16 April, the SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle spotted: three ACVs near government-controlled Berezove (31km south-west of Donetsk) and two ACVs near government-controlled Veselohorivka (64km west of Luhansk)

The SMM continued to observe the presence of mines and UXO. In “LPR”-controlled Makedonivka (37km south of Luhansk), the SMM again observed an MLRS projectile (BM-30 Smerch, 300mm) in a cemetery (see SMM Daily Report 23 February 2016). On 16 April, the SMM noted that the road between “LPR”-controlled Pionerske (19km north-east of Luhansk) and “LPR”-controlled Khriashchivka (21km north-east of Luhansk) has been recently blocked and marked as mined.

The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints across the contact line. On 17 April the SMM saw some 350 civilian cars at the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint on the H15 road in the direction of government-controlled Marinka (23km west-south-west of Donetsk), headed to government-controlled areas. As the SMM was approaching the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint a civilian car attempted to overtake the queue.  Approximately ten women (between 50-70 years of age) and three men (50-60 years of age) began to shout at the driver. The car was blocking the road, not letting anyone pass. Immediately after the incident an armed young man wearing a balaclava and in military-type clothing, without insignia, came from the direction of the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint holding a hand grenade. He stated that if the people did not go back to their cars and stop making problems he would detonate the grenade. People immediately moved back to their cars. On 17 April, the SMM saw that the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint north of Berezove had been moved 3km further north on the H20 road. The SMM observed civilian traffic in both directions (north-south).

The SMM monitored four areas on the border outside government control, but was prevented from reaching one and restricted at another*. On 16 April, the SMM reached the border crossing point east of Novoazovsk (40km east of Mariupol) and observed three civilian trucks with Ukrainian licence plates waiting to cross. An armed “DPR”-member on site refused to talk to the SMM. On 16 April, at the Dolzhanskyi border crossing point (85km south-east of Luhansk) the SMM observed 11 civilian vehicles (nine with Russian and two with Ukrainian licence plates) queuing to cross into the Russian Federation. During 20 minutes, the SMM observed eight civilian vehicles passing from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. Over the same period, two vehicles with Ukrainian licence plates crossed into Ukraine. At the Sievernyi border crossing point (50km south-east of Luhansk) the SMM observed 38 parked civilian vehicles with Ukrainian licence plates. On 17 April five armed men denied the SMM access to the Diakove (70km south of Luhansk) border area, by stopping the SMM at a checkpoint 9km north of Bobrykove (71km south of Luhansk). The “LPR” checkpoint “commander” demanded to see the SMM’s patrol plan and when the SMM refused to comply with his request, he said that he had received strict instructions not to let anyone into the border zone without an escort. The SMM waited for 42 minutes and then left the area. On 17 April, at the Marynivka border crossing point (78km south-east of Donetsk) the SMM observed 19 civilian vehicles (nine with Russian Federation and ten with Ukrainian licence plates), seven trucks loaded with coal (with Ukrainian licence plates) and one full bus (approximately 50 civilian passengers, about half of them women) with a board indicating its route as “Donetsk-Sevastopol”. 

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kherson, Odessa, Lviv, 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 demand to review SMM patrol plans.

Denial of access:

• On 16 April Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel prevented the SMM from proceeding on a road outside government-controlled Trokhizbenka (33km north-west of Luhansk) saying travel on that road was prohibited.
• On 16 April, armed men denied the SMM passage through a “DPR” checkpoint near Debaltseve (“DPR”-controlled, 58km north-east of Donetsk) citing ongoing shelling in the area.
• On 16 April, armed men demanded to see the national passports of monitors at the “DPR” checkpoint at Olenivka (“DPR”-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk). The SMM refused and waited for 20 minutes. Even though the JCCC was informed, the armed members denied access and the SMM had to take another route.
• On 16 April, an armed man at the Sievernyi border crossing point (“LPR”-controlled, 50km south-east of Luhansk) demanded to see the SMM patrol plan and take the names of the SMM monitors. The SMM refused to show the patrol plan, but provided the names. The “border guard” then made a phone call and then told the SMM it was not allowed in the area, and told the SMM to leave.
• On 16 April, in “LPR”-controlled Chornukhyne (63km south-west of Luhansk) an armed man prevented the SMM from accessing a location where the SMM aimed to follow-up on allegations of the presence of tanks.
• On 17 April five armed men stopped the SMM at a checkpoint 9km north of “LPR”-controlled Bobrykove (71km south of Luhansk). The “LPR” checkpoint “commander” demanded to see the SMM’s patrol plan and when the SMM refused to comply with his request, he said that he had received strict instructions not to let anyone into the border zone without an escort. Even though the JCCC was informed, the armed men did not allow the SMM to proceed. The SMM waited for 42 minutes and left the area.

Conditional access:

• On 16 April at 10:30hrs, Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel at the checkpoint in government-controlled Heivka (25km north-west of Luhansk) demanded the SMM open the trunks of its vehicles. The SMM complied and was allowed to proceed.
• On 16 April, armed “DPR” members delayed the SMM for 38 minutes at the checkpoint at the southern entrance of Yasynuvata (“DPR”-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk). The SMM was then allowed to proceed, escorted by two “DPR” members to its observation post. The two “DPR” members then left the patrol.

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