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

Over the weekend in Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, compared to 15 July, with violence focused in the Avdiivka/Yasynuvata area and the northern outskirts of Donetsk as well as the Shyrokyne area. In Luhansk region, the Mission also recorded fewer ceasefire violations than on 15 July, with the only violence noted taking place near Shchastia. The SMM conducted crater analysis and followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi district. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and facilitated the recovery of the body of a dead man. It monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and encountered restrictions on two occasions. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on six other occasions, five of which occurred in areas not controlled by the Government.*

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations[1] on 16 and 17 July combined, compared to 15 July.

On 16 July, whilst in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk), the SMM heard two explosions assessed as outgoing mortar rounds (undetermined calibre). On the same day, positioned at the “DPR”-controlled Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of the city centre), the SMM heard two explosions assessed as impacts of 120mm mortar rounds, three explosions assessed as outgoing 82mm mortar rounds and two explosions assessed as impacts of mortar rounds (undetermined calibre), all 2-3km north of its position. On 17 July, whilst positioned in government-controlled Avdiivka, the SMM heard 49 explosions, including: 16 assessed as outgoing automatic-grenade-launcher and recoilless gun (SPG-9) rounds, seven assessed as outgoing 82mm mortar rounds, and two assessed as outgoing 122mm artillery rounds (the remainder were undetermined), all mainly 1-6km east, south-east and south of its position.

On the night of 16 July, whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 50 undetermined explosions 6-8km west-south-west of its position and 25 explosions assessed as impacts of 122mm artillery rounds 6-8km west of its position.

On the night of 15 July, the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Donetsk) recorded 16 undetermined explosions and over 100 bursts of direct small-arms and 30mm cannon tracer fire approximately 3-5km north-east, in the area of “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka (24km north-east of Mariupol). The exchange of fire began with 65 bursts of 30mm cannon fire from the south-west to the north-east. Less intense fighting was recorded by the camera on the night of 16 July, with five explosions and four projectiles noted; starting with three projectiles fired from east to west.

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded a lower number of ceasefire violations on 16 and 17 July combined, compared to 15 July. All of the ceasefire violations recorded by the SMM occurred near government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk) on the night of 16 July. The SMM heard nearly 90 explosions in total, including: 57 assessed as incoming and outgoing mortar (assessed as either 82 or 120mm) and automatic-grenade-launcher (AGS) rounds, at least five explosions assessed as either 82 or 120mm mortar round impacts, at least three explosions assessed as either 82 or 120mm outgoing mortar rounds, and the remainder assessed as 82mm mortar and automatic-grenade-launcher rounds.

The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis. On 17 July, the SMM observed two fresh craters, both in the gardens of houses in Petrovskyi district of Donetsk city (15km south-west of Donetsk city centre). The owner of one of the houses (a woman in her fifties) told the SMM that she was treated for minor injuries to her face at a hospital, information that was also confirmed by a doctor at the hospital. The craters were assessed as having been caused by mortar or artillery rounds fired from a southerly direction. A neighbour told the SMM that an explosion had occurred at approximately 20:30 the previous evening.

In “DPR”-controlled Kominternove (23km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM observed a large hole on the south-western side of the roof of a barn and shrapnel damage to its perimeter walls. Two women (50-60 years old) told the SMM that the hole had been caused by shelling the previous night.

The SMM followed up on reports of a civilian casualty in Petrovskyi district. At a hospital in Donetsk city, the SMM observed a woman (50-60 years old) receiving intensive care and a doctor informed the SMM that the woman had been injured by a mine and was in critical condition.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, in accordance with the Package of Measures and its Addendum, as well as the Minsk Memorandum.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed one towed howitzer (D-20, 152mm) near government-controlled Novozhelanne (32km north-west of Donetsk). An SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) again spotted four towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) in “DPR”-controlled Kaiutyne (47km north-east of Donetsk) on 16 July (see SMM Daily Report 16 July 2016).

Beyond the withdrawal lines but outside assigned areas, at a known training site near “LPR”-controlled Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk) the SMM saw eight tanks (T-72). At a junction near “DPR”-controlled Ilovaisk (30km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed a sign on the side of the road, with the image of a tank and the words “warning tanks”, written in Russian. An SMM long-range UAV spotted six tanks near government-controlled Krasne (65km north of Donetsk) on 15 July.

The SMM observed weapons in areas known to the SMM, which it could not verify as withdrawn as they do not comply with the criteria set in the 16 October 2015 notification. In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed 12 anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm). The SMM noted, as observed previously, that 11 anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) and three mortars (2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) were missing, and another six mortars (2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) were noted as missing for the first time.

The SMM revisited a permanent storage site in “DPR”-controlled areas whose location corresponded with the respective withdrawal lines. The SMM noted that all previously observed weapons were present.

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles, an anti-aircraft weapon, and other hardware in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, the SMM observed: one infantry fighting vehicle (IFV; BMP-2) and one command vehicle (BMP-1Ksh) near Nyzhnie (56km north-west of Luhansk); four armoured personnel carriers (APCs; three BTR-60s and one BRDM-2) near Popasna (69km west of Luhansk); and one armoured personnel carrier (APC; MT-LB) mounted with a machine-gun (12.7mm) near a government-controlled part of Zolote (60km west of Luhansk), all of which had been previously reported by the SMM. Also in government-controlled areas, an SMM long-range UAV spotted the presence of three armoured vehicles near Mykolaivka Druha (55km north of Donetsk), three armoured vehicles near Ozarianivka (formerly Pershe Travnia, 52km north of Donetsk), three armoured vehicles near Zaitseve (50km north-east of Donetsk), three armoured vehicles near Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk), and five armoured vehicles near Dyliivka (49km north of Donetsk), all on 16 July. The SMM also observed a military helicopter (assessed as MI-24), flying between government-controlled Halytsynivka (28km north-west of Donetsk) and government-controlled Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk) and an IFV (BMP-1) near Krasnohorivka. In “DPR”-controlled areas, the SMM observed: one IFV (BMP-1), one APC (BTR-60) and one command vehicle in Horlivka; and the tracks of an armoured combat vehicle (MT-LB or BMP) not more than 48 hours old near Ilovaisk.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk) on 16 July, the SMM visited the office of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). The Russian Federation Armed Forces representative told the SMM that he would not provide the Mission with information regarding ceasefire violations from the previous night. He stated that monitors should spend the night at the observation post themselves if they wanted information about ceasefire violations. An armed man added that the SMM was not welcome there.

On the afternoon of 16 July, two security guards, whose presence had been assured by the JCCC at the SMM forward patrol base in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk), were no longer present. In response to the SMM’s concerns, the JCCC initially told the Mission that it was not their role to ensure the security of the SMM in Debaltseve. The SMM monitors temporarily relocated to Donetsk city before returning to Debaltseve on 17 July, when the JCCC again facilitated the presence of the security guards at the base.

The SMM observed a new mine hazard sign near a railway station in government-controlled Kurakhove (40km west of Donetsk), with the words “caution mines” written with red and white colours in Ukrainian. By a military base in government-controlled Komyshivka (32km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed a plastic board with the word “mines” written in red letters in Cyrillic.

The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable the recovery of the body of a deceased person. In Novooleksandrivka (65km west of Luhansk), the SMM facilitated the recovery of the body of an unidentified man by a civil society organization based in “LPR”-controlled areas. The SMM observed as the body was transported towards an “LPR” checkpoint between government-controlled Popasna and “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (58km west of Luhansk).

On 17 July, at the first government checkpoint when approaching Stanytsia Luhanska bridge from the north, the SMM observed workers from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine building a new wooden shelter for the protection of pedestrians from the weather.

The SMM attempted to monitor border areas not controlled by the Government and encountered two restrictions.* The SMM visited the border crossing point near Marynivka (78km east of Donetsk) and observed 17 vehicles and two buses (with Ukrainian and Russian licence plates) queuing to leave Ukraine. Four civilians waiting at the crossing point told the SMM that they travelled to the Russian Federation several times a week to purchase food and fuel as it was cheaper there than in areas not controlled by the Government in Donetsk region. A “DPR” member refused to allow the SMM to observe the area where the screening of documents and vehicles was performed. At the crossing point near Uspenka (73km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed 50 vehicles, eight trucks, and two buses (including Ukrainian, Russian Federation, and “DPR” licence plates) queuing to leave Ukraine. At the border crossing point near Ulianivske (61km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed one pedestrian crossing into Ukraine and one leaving Ukraine in just over one hour. The SMM was prevented from monitoring a fourth border area when armed men stopped it near “LPR”-controlled Makariv Yar (formerly Parkhomenko, 28km east of Luhansk) and did not allow the patrol to proceed further.

*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 15 July in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), a Ukrainian Armed Forces representative to the JCCC told the SMM that monitors of a certain nationality would not be allowed access to the bridge from the north.
• In the afternoon of 16 July, an armed man at the “LPR” checkpoint immediately south of the bridge near government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk) denied the SMM access to the bridge.
• On 17 July, while travelling towards a border area not controlled by the Government, armed men at the entrance to Makariv Yar stopped the SMM and said that it would not be allowed to pass. The SMM contacted the JCCC and left the area after waiting for 45 minutes.
• On 17 July, a “DPR” member at the Marynivka border crossing point refused to allow the SMM to reach the area where the screening of documents and vehicles was carried out.

Conditional access:

• On 16 July, armed men allowed only one of five SMM staff to pass south through the armed “LPR” position at the northern end of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, allowing the SMM to access the bridge for the first time in approximately two weeks.
• On 16 July, armed men stopped the SMM near “DPR”-controlled Lukove (41km north-east of Mariupol) and searched the luggage compartments of two SMM vehicles before allowing them to proceed. The SMM informed the JCCC.

Delay:

• On 16 July, armed men delayed the SMM for nearly 30 minutes at a checkpoint on the western side of “DPR”-controlled Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, 29km north-east of Mariupol) before allowing it to proceed. The JCCC was informed.
• On 17 July, the SMM was stopped by armed men at the “LPR” checkpoint immediately south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. The SMM informed the JCCC and was allowed to pass after approximately 40 minutes.

[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.