Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 20 June 2016
This report is for media and the general public.
In Donetsk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations than on each of the previous two days. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations than on each of the previous two days. The Mission observed the construction of additional fortifications at the Ukrainian Armed Forces position at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and noted that the “LPR” continued to maintain its new position at the bridge just north of the river. It also observed significant movement of weapons in Luhansk region. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs in Vesela Hora and the recovery of a body in Zaitseve. The Mission observed long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line and monitored a public gathering in Odessa. The SMM did not encounter any specific restrictions to its freedom of movement.*
The SMM observed less ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region than on each of the previous two days.
Whilst in Donetsk city centre, the SMM recorded 30 undetermined explosions 10-15km north-west and north-east on the night of 19 June. The SMM heard only two undetermined explosions, both in the morning on 20 June, 5-8km north-east of its position at Donetsk central railway station. Over the course of the day, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 20 undetermined explosions, and two explosions assessed as impacts; all 3-7km west and 2-7km west-north-west.
Whilst positioned 2km south-east of government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard 24 outgoing automatic-grenade-launcher rounds 2-3km north, late in the morning on 20 June.
The SMM camera in Shyrokyne (18km east of Mariupol) recorded ten single shots of tracer fire and one burst of small-arms fire from east to west, as well as 31 single shots of tracer fire from west to east, during the night of 19 June. The first shots recorded were fired from east to west.
In government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard two explosions, assessed as 82mm mortar round impacts, 2-3km south-east of its position on the night of 19 June.
Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 31 undetermined explosions, 38 explosions assessed as both outgoing and incoming BMP-1 cannon fire (73mm), and nearly 60 bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 5-7km west over a forty-minute period, shortly after midnight on 20 June.
The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region than on each of the previous two days. Whilst in government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk), the SMM heard 63 explosions assessed as mortar rounds 0.5-2km south-south-east and two assessed as mortar rounds 1km east in less than 30 minutes in the afternoon.
“LPR” members continued to maintain an armed position north of the Siverskyi Donets river, beyond the contact line, at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (see SMM Daily Report 13 June). The SMM observed continuing work to reinforce the new Ukrainian Armed Forces position (see SMM Daily Report 16 June). In the afternoon, near the new government position, the SMM observed a crane unloading concrete blocks and a third fortification being built 30-50 metres north of the two already in place on each side of the road at the position. Pedestrians continued to cross the bridge in both directions throughout the day. In the morning, at the “LPR” checkpoint south of the bridge, the SMM observed 600-700 pedestrians in line waiting to move towards government-controlled areas and 150-200 waiting to travel in the opposite direction. At noon, the SMM observed approximately 800 pedestrians queuing to enter government-controlled areas at the government checkpoint. The SMM noted that 18 people were waiting in line for two toilets at the government checkpoint and observed as two elderly women left the paved area and crossed the fence, ignoring a mine hazard sign.
In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures the SMM revisited a “DPR” permanent storage site and noted that all weapons previously verified as withdrawn to the site were present. At Ukrainian Armed Forces sites, the SMM observed that all weapons previously verified as withdrawn to the site were present, and noted additional weapons.
Beyond the withdrawal lines, but outside storage sites, the SMM observed at least 18 tanks (T-64) moving south near government-controlled Rubizhne (84km north-west of Luhansk). Later in the day, the SMM observed ten stationary tanks near Rubizhne. At training sites in “LPR”-controlled areas beyond the withdrawal lines, the SMM observed two tanks (T-72) near Shymshynivka (27km north-west of Luhansk), ten tanks (T-64) near Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk) and seven tanks near Kruhlyk (31km south-west of Luhansk).
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.
The SMM revisited locations known to the Mission as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they do not comply with the specific criteria set out for permanent storage sites in the notification. In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed six Addendum-regulated mortars (2B11 Sani, 120mm).
Beyond withdrawal lines, but outside storage sites, the SMM observed in government-controlled areas: 19 self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm, including one equipped for amphibious use) travelling south near Rubizhne, six self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) stationary near Rubizhne and two mortars (2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) being towed south near Novoaidar (49km north-west of Luhansk). Aerial surveillance available to the SMM revealed the presence of two surface-to-air missile systems (SA-13 Strela-10, 120mm) near Mariupol (102km south of Donetsk) on 19 June.
The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles and an anti-aircraft gun in the security zone. In “DPR”-controlled areas, the SMM saw one armoured personnel carrier (APC; BTR-70) on 19 June in Donetsk city. In addition, in “DPR”-controlled areas, aerial surveillance available to the SMM revealed the presence of 22 armoured vehicles near Horlivka, two armoured vehicles near Vesele (45km south-east of Donetsk), and one armoured vehicle near Starolaspa (51km south of Donetsk), all on 19 June. Aerial imagery also revealed the presence of two armoured vehicles near Avdiivka on 18 June. Near “LPR”-controlled Chornukhyne (64km south-west of Luhansk), the SMM observed two infantry fighting vehicles (IFV; BMP-1). In government-controlled areas, the SMM observed: two APCs (MTLB) near Dmytrivka (55km south-west of Donetsk); one IFV (BMP-1) and one military truck mounted with a machine-gun (12.7mm) near Stanytsia Luhanska; three IFVs (BMP-1), one APC and one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23, 23mm) being towed by a military truck moving north-east near government-controlled Trokhizbenka (32km north-west of Luhansk); and six IFVs (three BMP-2 and three BMP-1) near government-controlled Novotoshkivske (53km west of Luhansk).
The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure and the recovery of the body of a deceased man. In “LPR”-controlled Vesela Hora (16km north of Luhansk), the SMM continued to facilitate and observe ongoing repair work to electricity pylons. In an area between opposing armed positions in Zaitseve (50km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM facilitated the recovery of the body of a “DPR” member who was said to have died there on 19 June. The SMM observed as “DPR” members carried the body to a “DPR”-controlled area of the town. The Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination organized the effort and was present during the recovery.
The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. On 19 June, at five checkpoints between government-controlled parts of Zaitseve and “DPR”-controlled Horlivka, the SMM observed approximately 820 vehicles, 15 minivans and 1,600 pedestrians waiting to travel toward government-controlled areas. At the same time, the SMM noted over 100 vehicles, two minivans and approximately 730 pedestrians moving in the opposite direction. At a government checkpoint near Marinka, a number of people had told the SMM that they had been waiting at the same checkpoint for six to seven hours in the heat and that often the wait to cross was as long as 13 hours. The SMM observed an elderly female civilian being taken by an ambulance toward government-controlled Kurakhove (40km west of Donetsk). Her son told the SMM that they had been waiting in line for close to seven hours.
The SMM monitored a public gathering of approximately 100 people (men and women of different ages) protesting against what they called illegal construction in Odessa city. The protestors marched through Odessa city centre and gave speeches in front of the city council building. The SMM observed that one road was blocked for traffic by a police car and 15 police officers in a bus parked near the building. The public gathering was held in a peaceful atmosphere.
*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate
The SMM’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.
Besides the above mentioned general restrictions, the SMM was not subject to any specific restriction to its freedom of movement.
[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report.