Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 22 June 2016

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared to the previous day. In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded over 140 explosions during the night of 21 June and 15 during the day. The SMM was caught in mortar shelling in Vodiane. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded one small-arms shot. The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line and spoke to people who had spent the night in their vehicles between the respective last checkpoints. The Mission monitored a peaceful protest in Odessa. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on three occasions, all in areas outside government control.*

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region compared to the previous day. The SMM recorded 145 undetermined explosions during the night of 21 June. Whilst in Donetsk city centre, the SMM recorded 48 undetermined explosions 10-12km north-north-west during the night of 21 June.

During the same night, whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM recorded 92 undetermined explosions 8-10km north-north-west of its position.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16 north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard two explosions during the day, 5-8km north of its position.

Positioned at the Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM registered four undetermined explosions – one 4km west and three 4-10km north-north-east, north and east of its position.

In government-controlled Vodiane (94km south of Donetsk), during a visit that had been co-ordinated with representatives of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), the SMM heard seven mortar round impacts, assessed as 82mm calibre, in the village. Half an hour later, the SMM saw and heard another two mortar impacts 100-150m south-east and north of its position, respectively. (See SMM Spot Report 22 June 2016.) 

In Luhansk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. Whilst in Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk), the SMM heard one small-arms shot 200m south-west of its position.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage sites and observed that all weapons previously verified as withdrawn to those sites were missing as they have been since 11 February: nine tanks (T-64) and three automatic mortars (2B9M Vasilek, 82mm).

Beyond the withdrawal lines, but outside storage sites, the SMM observed at least 15 stationary tanks (T72, T-64) in a training area near “LPR”-controlled Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk as well as five tanks (T-64) near government-controlled Sievierodonetsk (74km north-west of Luhansk). On 21 June, aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence of a concentration of 15 probable tanks and 23 pieces of towed artillery in “LPR”-controlled Malomykolaivka (36km south-west of Luhansk).

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons as foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed four multiple-launch rocket systems (assessed as BM-21 Grad, 122mm), near Sievierodonetsk.

The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October 2015 notification. 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 notification.

In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed 12 towed howitzers (2A36 Giatsint-B, 152mm). The SMM also noted that eight towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) were missing, as first observed on 3 April 2016.

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone. In government-controlled areas: the SMM saw one infantry fighting vehicle (IFVs; BMP-2) in Toshkivka (60km north-west of Luhansk); eight military trucks each carrying an anti-aircraft twin gun (ZU-23) near Volnovakha (53km south-west of Donetsk). In “LPR”-controlled areas, the SMM saw one multi-purpose light-armoured towing vehicle (MT-LB) and three IFVs (BMP-2) on trailers in Pervomaisk (58km west of Luhansk). On 20 June, aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence of 22 armoured vehicles and 23 military-type trucks in Horlivka.

The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. At the government checkpoint near Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), in the morning hours the SMM saw 420 vehicles and approximately 250 pedestrians waiting to enter government-controlled areas and no one queuing in the opposite direction. Within one hour in the morning, the SMM saw 41 passenger vehicles enter government-controlled areas and 54 vehicles travel in the opposite direction. At the checkpoint, the SMM spoke to people who were entering government-controlled areas, and all of them alleged that many people, including some of them, had to spend the night of 21 June in the area between the last “DPR” checkpoint and the first government checkpoint as the checkpoints had closed and there had been long delays during the day. The interlocutors also complained of the lack of toilets, potable water, and kiosks to buy food in the zone between the checkpoints. At the checkpoint, the SMM saw an ambulance and a team of paramedics attending to an elderly woman who reportedly fell unconscious after long hours of queuing in hot weather (reaching 34 degrees Celsius in the shade).

At the “DPR” checkpoint near Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM saw 270 civilian cars and 12 buses waiting to travel towards government-controlled areas. Within two hours in the morning, the SMM observed 88 civilian cars enter government-controlled areas, and 97 civilian cars and five passenger vans entering non-government-controlled areas. One man (45 years old) in the queue told the SMM that cars queuing approximately 700m away from the checkpoint would most likely not succeed to cross, and that remaining in the queue overnight was common.

At the “DPR” checkpoint near Horlivka, the SMM saw about 425 civilian cars and 450 people queuing towards government-controlled areas, while 56 civilian cars were waiting to travel in the opposite direction. The SMM spoke to people in the queue, who complained about the long waiting times (6-12 hours) and the absence of toilets, potable water and shelters. A “DPR” member refused to answer any of the SMM’s questions.

At a checkpoint on the south-eastern edge of “DPR”-controlled Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, 29km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM observed 250 civilian cars waiting to travel toward government-controlled areas. Several travellers (men and women, different ages) told the SMM that they had been waiting for over five hours to pass the checkpoint, and reiterated a complaint the SMM has heard repeatedly about the absence of toilets, potable water and a medical point – at this and other crossing routes.

“LPR” members continued to maintain an armed position north of the Siverskyi Donets river, at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (see SMM Daily Report 13 June 2016) and the SMM observed that the newly constructed Ukrainian Armed Forces third fortification (see SMM Daily Report 21 June 2016) was reinforced with sandbags. In the morning, at a “LPR” checkpoint south of the bridge, the SMM observed 250 pedestrians (men and women of different ages) queuing to cross the bridge towards government-controlled areas and no queue in the opposite direction. The SMM also noted that a tent providing shade for civilians had been placed next to the checkpoint as well as a vehicle with a medic, who was equipped with basic first aid equipment. At the government checkpoint north of the bridge, the SMM observed a queue of some 500 people waiting to enter government-controlled areas, and no queue in the opposite direction. The SMM noted that approximately 25 people crossed within 15 minutes.

The SMM continued to observe the presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO). The SMM saw for the first time the tailfin of an 82mm mortar round sticking out of the asphalt in the middle of the road north of government-controlled Berdianske (102km south of Donetsk).

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure and demining. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs to power lines in the area of “LPR”-controlled Holubivske (51km west of Luhansk). In the area of “LPR”-controlled Obozne (18km north of Luhansk), the SMM facilitated and monitored ongoing demining work to enable repairs to electricity infrastructure. In Shchastia, the SMM facilitated and monitored further repairs to a water pump at the Shchastia power plant. Employees at the plant told the SMM that the removal of UXO was now complete.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians living near the contact line and noted that movement restrictions for civilians in Novooleksandrivka (60km west of Luhansk; see SMM Daily Report 1 June 2016) were continuing as an elderly couple in the village told the SMM about their ongoing hardship in obtaining food and healthcare.

The SMM monitored a peaceful protest, organized by activists demanding the resignation of the city mayor in Odessa. Some 1,000 participants (between the ages of 12 and 70 years, 80 per cent male) gathered in front of Hotel Gagarin where the XII “Ukrainian Municipal Forum” (“Day of Dialogue with the State Authorities”) was being held. Protestors blocked traffic in three directions at nearby intersections for at least three hours, including the one leading to the Consulate General of the Russian Federation, by stringing large banners with anti-mayor slogans. The SMM also saw some 40 police officers at the event.

*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.

Denial of access:

• On 21 June, at the “DPR” checkpoint near Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk), an armed “DPR” member, who identified himself as the checkpoint “commander”, told the SMM to move its vehicles at least 300m from the checkpoint. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• On 22 June, the SMM experienced the same restriction of access to the “DPR” checkpoint near Olenivka. The armed “DPR” member refused to even allow monitors on foot within 300m ofthe checkpoint. The SMM informed the JCCC.

Delay:

• In “LPR”-controlled Khrustalne (57km south-west of Luhansk) two men in civilian clothes who got out from a white vehicle with Georgian licence plates and claimed to be from the “state security service”, approached the SMM and asked for the patrol plan and identification of the members of the patrol. The SMM did not comply. After 90 minutes, the SMM was able to continue its monitoring in the village. The SMM informed the JCCC.

[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.