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

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM observed an increase in the number of ceasefire violations and the number of explosions recorded in Donetsk region, particularly in the area between Yasynuvata, Avdiivka and the northern outskirts of Donetsk city, as well as the south-western outskirts of Donetsk city. In Luhansk region all ceasefire violations recorded by the SMM were assessed as being part of a live-fire training exercise. The SMM carried out crater analysis and observed the results of shelling on both sides of the contract line in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. It also observed the presence of unexploded ordnance. The Mission monitored three border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a helicopter flying in a border area on two occasions while positioned in government-controlled areas. The SMM continued to assess the situation as calm along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM faced seven freedom-of-movement restrictions, six of them in areas not controlled by the Government.

The SMM noted an increase in the number of ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk region compared to the previous day.[1] The SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north-west of Donetsk) recorded 50 explosions early in the morning and throughout the day on 17 August: 43 of them were assessed as impacts, three as airbursts and four were undetermined, mainly 3-5km south-east of its position. Positioned at the Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM heard 35 undetermined explosions 3-8km north and north-east of its position and saw and heard one explosion assessed as an impact 3km north-north-west of its position. Positioned in Avdiivka throughout the day, the SMM heard 279 undetermined explosions 2-7km south-east and south-south-east of its position. Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM heard 72 undetermined explosions 1-8km west of its position.

Positioned on highway H15, just south of government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard 147 undetermined explosions and over 700 bursts and single shots of heavy-machine-gun and small arms fire 0.5-3km north-east of its position on the evening of 16 August. When the SMM left a government entry-exit point in Marinka at 20:05 that same evening, there were still 40 cars and 30 pedestrians queuing westbound and 110 cars queuing eastbound. While in Donetsk city centre on the night of 16 August, the SMM heard 12 undetermined explosions 5-7km north-north-east of its position followed by 65 undetermined explosions 5-7km north-west and west-north-west of its position.

On the evening of 16 August, while positioned approximately 9km north-north-west of “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard ten explosions assessed as mortar impacts 400-900 metres north of its position. Whilst in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk) throughout the night of 16 August, the SMM heard 23 undetermined explosions 2-3km south-east of its position.

On the night of 16 August, the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded 88 undetermined explosions in the Vodiane-Sakhanka area (government-controlled, 19km north-east of Mariupol; “DPR”-controlled, 24km north-east of Mariupol; respectively), two shots of indirect tracer fire west to east, and one explosion assessed as an impact in Vodiane.

Positioned in the south-eastern outskirts of “LPR”-controlled Luhansk, the SMM heard 25 bursts and two single shots of small-arms fire 1-1.5km north of its position. The shots were assessed as part of a live-fire exercise within the security zone, in violation of the ceasefire and of the Trilateral Contact Group decision on the prohibition of live-fire exercises within the security zone. 

The SMM observed the results of shelling and carried out crater analysis on both sides of the contact line in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

At a junction just south of “DPR”-controlled Nova Marivka (46km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM observed four fresh craters, three located in a field next to the road and one on the road. The SMM performed crater analysis and assessed the craters as having been caused by 120mm mortar rounds fired from a westerly direction. The SMM observed two additional fresh craters in Nova Marivka, approximately 2 and 30 metres from a civilian warehouse and 150 metres away from a “DPR” checkpoint and residential buildings. Both of the craters were assessed as having been caused by 152mm artillery rounds fired from a westerly direction. The SMM assessed that a third round from an unknown weapon had exploded upon impacting on the roof of the storage house, which had been nearly completely destroyed. A Russian Federation JCCC officer and a Russian Federation news channel were present at the site.

In government-controlled Novotoshkivske (53km west of Luhansk) the SMM observed a fresh crater and assessed it as having been caused by a 120mm mortar round fired from a southerly direction. The SMM also observed an unexploded anti-tank guided missile (9M113 Konkurs, 135mm) protruding from the ground. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer from the JCCC told the SMM that the missile had been fired approximately one month ago. The SMM was unable to determine the direction of fire.

On 16 August, in “DPR”-controlled Dokuchaievsk (30km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed a house whose roof had been completely destroyed. While the SMM did not find a crater, one of the rooms of the house which had been located under the roof was damaged by numerous fragments which the SMM assessed as caused by an 82 or 120mm mortar round. The SMM also observed a damaged tree, a damaged power supply line and shrapnel damage to a house on the opposite side of the street. According to residents of the house which had received the direct hit, the explosion had occurred at approximately 02:30 on 16 August. A Russian Federation officer from the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) and a “DPR”-member were present at the scene.

On 16 August, in government-controlled Rybynske (49km south of Donetsk) the SMM observed three fresh craters outside a military compound at the north-eastern edge of the village and seven fresh craters inside the compound. The SMM assessed five of the craters inside the compound as caused by 152mm artillery rounds and the five remaining craters as caused by 120mm mortar rounds, all fired from a north-easterly direction. A building inside the compound was still burning. A resident of Rybynske told the SMM that shelling had occurred between 01:30 and 02:30 that morning. Three Ukrainian Armed Forces officers from the JCCC were present at the site.

The SMM observed another crater at a Ukrainian Armed Forces observation point south-east of government controlled Pavlopil (26km north-east of Mariupol) on 16 August. The SMM assessed the crater to be approximately one week old and to have been caused by a 122mm artillery round fired from a south-easterly direction.

At the Ukrainian Armed Forces forward position north of Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk) bridge, the SMM observed at least 100 fresh bullet marks on a south-facing defensive barrier. The SMM assessed that the bullets had been fired from the south on the evening of 16-17 August. The SMM also observed the remains of a rocket-propelled grenade and several other exploded projectiles but was unable to determine their direction of fire.

In government-controlled Lobacheve (17km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM spoke with an elderly woman and observed minor wounds on both of her legs which she stated she had sustained during shelling on 13 August. The woman showed the SMM a crater in the yard of her home, located approximately 100 metre north of the contact line. The SMM assessed that the crater was caused by a 40mm automatic-grenade-launcher (AGS) round fired from a northerly direction. The SMM has previously observed Ukrainian Armed Forces positions approximately 1km to the north of Lobacheve.

On 16 August, in government-controlled Komyshuvakha (68km west of Luhansk), the SMM observed a fresh crater on an asphalt street. The SMM assessed that the crater was caused by an artillery round of unknown calibre fired from a south-easterly direction. It observed that the windows of three neighbouring houses and on the first and second floor of a nearby apartment building had been shattered and that a telephone line had been brought down by the blast. A resident told the SMM that the shelling had occurred at approximately 04:20 that morning. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer from the JCCC was present at the site.

On the same day, the SMM observed four fresh craters at the north-eastern edge of government-controlled Popasna (69km west of Luhansk). The SMM was able to perform an analysis of three of the craters and assessed one as having been caused by a 152mm artillery round, one as having been caused by an artillery round of an unknown calibre and one as having been caused by an artillery or mortar round of an unknown calibre, all fired from a south-easterly direction. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer from the JCCC told the SMM that the craters had been caused by shelling two days earlier.

In the afternoon of 16 August, the SMM observed two fresh craters next to an “LPR” checkpoint in Molodizhne (63km north-west of Luhansk). The SMM assessed that the craters had been caused by 40mm rocket-propelled-grenade rounds fired from a northerly direction. Two armed men at the checkpoint told the SMM that their position had been fired upon approximately 2.5 hours earlier, information corroborated by a female civilian in Molodizhne.

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

In violation of withdrawal lines the SMM observed two mortars (2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) south of government-controlled Petrivka (27km north of Luhansk), six anti-tank guns (2A29/MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) in government-controlled Novozhelanne (34km north-west of Donetsk) and six anti-tank guns (2A29/MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) in government-controlled Zhelanne (36km north-west of Donetsk). In “LPR”-controlled Luhansk city, the SMM observed a tank (assessed as T-64) being transported on a flatbed trailer, also in violation of the withdrawal lines.

The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage does not comply with the criteria set out in the 16 October 2015 notification. In government-controlled areas, the SMM observed 18 self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), six anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) and 12 multiple-launch rocket systems (BM-21 Grad, 122mm). The SMM noted as missing 12 self-propelled howitzers (12 2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm). The SMM noted that one of the areas continued to be abandoned, as first noted on 13 July 2016.

The SMM revisited a government-controlled permanent storage site, whose location corresponded with the withdrawal lines and observed that it continued to be abandoned as first noted on 9 December 2015. The SMM noted that 32 tanks (T-72), one anti-tank gun (D-44, 85mm), and four mortars (2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) were missing.

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles (ACV) on both sides of the contact line, in the security zone. In government-controlled areas the SMM observed three armoured personnel carriers (APC; one BTR-60 and two BRDM-2s) in Popasna, one APC in Mariupol (102km south of Donetsk) and one APC (BTR) near Berezove (31km south-west of Donetsk). On 16 August, in government-controlled areas, aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence of three armoured vehicles near Dacha (53km north of Donetsk) and one armoured vehicle and new trenches approximately 2.5km west of “DPR”-controlled Petrivske (41km south of Donetsk). In “DPR”-controlled areas, aerial surveillance imagery revealed the presence of two armoured vehicles near Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk) and one armoured vehicle near Makiivka (12km north-east of Donetsk).

The SMM observed the presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in areas close to the contact line. Near “DPR”-controlled Horlivka, the SMM observed one piece of UXO approximately 300 metres from a “DPR” checkpoint marked with a wooden tripod and an unmarked piece of UXO approximately 200 metres from the same checkpoint. The SMM assessed the UXO as projectiles from a recoilless gun (SPG-9, 73mm) or a BMP-1 cannon (73mm).

The SMM monitored three border areas not controlled by the Government, facing restrictions to its freedom of movement in two of them*, and one border area controlled by the Government. At the “LPR”-controlled Voznesenivka (formerly Chervonopartyzansk, 65km south-east of Luhansk) border crossing point the SMM observed 55 cars (six with Russian Federation licence plates, the remainder with Ukrainian ones) waiting to exit Ukraine. While present at the crossing point for approximately 40 minutes, the SMM observed six cars entering Ukraine (three with Russian Federation licence plates, the remaining with Ukrainian ones). At the “DPR”-controlled Marynivka (78km east of Donetsk) border crossing point the SMM observed 25 cars, two buses and three covered commercial trucks waiting to exit Ukraine. Two of the vehicles had “LPR” plates. The other vehicles were evenly split between Ukrainian and Russian Federation licence plates. At the “LPR”-controlled Uspenka (73km south-east of Luhansk) border crossing point, the SMM observed 40 cars, 19 covered commercial trucks and one bus waiting to exit Ukraine.

At 12:00 on 16 August, positioned near government-controlled Kaskivka (125km north of Luhansk, 1km south of Ukraine’s international border with the Russian Federation), the SMM observed a green helicopter flying near the border area. Approximately 30 minutes later, a second patrol observed a green helicopter flying in the border near government-controlled Voievodske (163km north-west of Luhansk). No identification markers were visible due to the distance from the patrol. The SMM watched as the helicopter shone a light toward Voievodske.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation along the administrative boundary line between the mainland and Crimea. At the Chonhar crossing point (72km south-east of Kherson) the SMM observed 70 cars and approximately 60 pedestrians queuing to cross to the mainland and 34 cars and 50 pedestrians queuing to cross into the peninsula. The SMM observed an artillery battery of a missile brigade near Syvaske (151km east of Kherson). The brigade has been present in the area for more than a year according to the acting commander (confirmed separately by two local residents and the SMM’s own observations) who added that the situation had been calm over the last ten days. The SMM noted a quiet situation in Oleksandrivka, Voskresenka, Serhiivka, Pershokostiantynivka, Pavlivka, Ivanivka, Novomykolaivka and a Ukrainian border guard outpost at Cape Kutara (ranging from 92 to 141km east and south-east of Kherson). Residents in Oleksandrivka and Voskresenka confirmed that the situation in the area had, during the past ten days, remained calm. The SMM also noted a quiet situation along major roads leading to the administrative boundary line in Novotroitske, Chaplynka and Kalanchak districts. The Deputy Governor of Kherson region told the SMM that starting on 7 August the security level in the region had been raised to yellow and the number of territorial defence drills had been increased from one in 2016 to six. On 16 August, the SMM observed one APC (BTR-80) near Chonhar settlement and one (BTR-80) near Yasna Poliana (162km east of Kherson).

*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 to 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 to the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

• While driving from “LPR”-controlled Khriashchivka (22km east of Luhansk) to “LPR”-controlled Pionerske (19km east of Luhansk), the SMM was stopped by an armed man who told the SMM to turn around and drive back in the direction they had come from (the JCCC was not informed). The SMM turned around and drove back.
• At a railway station in “LPR”-controlled Voznesenivka the SMM was asked by “LPR” members to leave the area. The SMM left the area and informed the JCCC.
• At the “DPR”-controlled Marynivka border crossing point, armed men demanded that SMM patrol members present their national passports before entering what they referred to as the “customs” area. Patrol members did not present their passports and the SMM was not allowed to enter the said area, even though the Mission was accompanied by a Russian Federation Armed Forces officer from the JCCC.
• A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer refused the SMM access to positions on Chonhar peninsula in Kherson region. The SMM turned back.

Delay:

• The SMM was stopped by armed men in “DPR”-controlled Nova Marivka and only allowed to proceed after more than 50 minutes of waiting. The SMM was travelling to Nova Marivka to follow up on reports of shelling provided by Russian Federation Armed Forces representatives at the JCCC. The SMM informed the JCCC.

Conditional access:

• “DPR” members searched the trunks and glove compartments of two SMM vehicles at a “DPR” checkpoint near Horlivka.
• At the “LPR”-controlled Voznesenivka border area, an armed woman asked the SMM to provide the names of the patrol members and vehicle numbers. The SMM provided her with the information.

[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.