Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 8 November 2016

This report is for media and the general public. 

The SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission observed damage caused by shelling in Dokuchaievsk, Olenivka, Krasnohorivka and Zhovte, and followed up on reports of civilian casualties. It continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.* The SMM monitored the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure co-ordinated by the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination.

The SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region – at least 1,450 explosions and almost 200 projectiles (including 122 that were rocket-assisted) compared with 648 explosions and 315 projectiles in the previous reporting period.[1]

While in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM heard 483 undetermined explosions, 170 overlapping bursts and shots of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 2-10km north-west, west-north-west and east-north-east.

Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 263 undetermined explosions, hundreds of bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire and uncountable overlapping bursts and shots of small-arms, all 1-10km west-south-west and west.

On the night of 7-8 November the SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) recorded 17 undetermined explosions 3-4km south-east and east-south-east, 46 projectiles in flight from west to east and from east to west 2-5km east and east-south-east, and two projectiles in flight from south to north and two from north to south. On 8 November the camera recorded 15 undetermined explosions, eight projectiles in flight from north-west to south-east and one air burst 3-5km east-south-east and south-east. Positioned in the town, the SMM also heard 33 outgoing explosions and three explosions assessed as impacts and hundreds of bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 2-5km south-east and east.

While in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk) on the evening of 7 November the SMM heard 14 undetermined explosions, 13 bursts assessed as outgoing anti-aircraft-gun fire (ZU-23-2-23mm) and heavy-machine gun fire 3-4km south-south-east. On 8 November the SMM heard 294 undetermined explosions assessed as mortar rounds, ten undetermined explosions, three undetermined explosions assessed as recoilless gun rounds (73mm), bursts of anti-aircraft-gun fire (ZU-23-2, 23mm) and bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 2-5km south-east.

While in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM heard 114 undetermined explosions, 16 bursts of infantry fighting vehicle (IFV; BMP-2) cannon fire (30mm), bursts of anti-aircraft-gun fire (ZU-23-2, 23mm) and bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 4-9km south-west, west and north-west. The SMM also heard a series of impacts that lasted for 30 seconds that the SMM assessed was caused by multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS; BM-21 Grad, 122mm) fire 8-10km south-west.

While in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka on 7 November the SMM heard ten undetermined explosions, five explosions assessed as impacts of mortar rounds, one explosion assessed as an outgoing round of a recoilless gun (SPG-9), six bursts of IFV (BMP-2) cannon fire (30mm), two bursts of anti-aircraft-gun fire (ZU-2, 23mm) and bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 4-9km south-west and west. On the night of 7-8 November the SMM heard 43 undetermined explosions 5-8km west, west-south-west and west-north-west; and one explosion assessed as a mortar (122mm) impact, IFV (BMP-2) cannon fire (30mm), one undetermined explosion, five explosions assessed as impacts of grenades from an automatic grenade launcher, anti-aircraft-gun (ZU-23-2, 23mm) fire, heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 3-6 km west, west-north-west and west-south-west.

While in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city centre on the night of 7-8 November the SMM heard 43 undetermined explosions 8-10km north-west.

During the night of 7-8 November the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol), recorded an exchange of fire that started with 16 direct tracer bursts, assessed as cannon fire (unknown calibre) in flight from west to east. The camera also recorded nine bursts of tracer fire in flight from west to east, assessed as anti-aircraft-gun fire (ZU-23-2, 23mm); 76 direct tracer rounds in flight from west to east assessed as cannon fire (unknown calibre); 23 direct tracer rounds assessed as cannon fire (unknown calibre) in flight from east to west; four direct tracer rounds assessed as heavy-machine-gun fire; and five undetermined explosions, followed by a rocket-assisted projectile in flight from west to east and four rocket-assisted projectiles in flight from east to west. On 8 November the camera recorded 12 air bursts and two impact explosions 1-4km north.

Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Bezimenne (30km east of Mariupol) on 8 November, the SMM heard seven undetermined explosions at unknown distances west; two outgoing and two explosions assessed as impacts at an undetermined distance west-north-west; and two undetermined explosions north-west. Later, the SMM heard 31 undetermined explosions at unknown distances, five outgoing explosions and five explosions assessed as impacts (assessed to be mortars), saw two airbursts 2-3km north-west and heard small-arms fire and automatic grenade launcher shots north-west.

In Luhansk region the SMM recorded 57 explosions, fewer than the 150 recorded on 7 November. While in “LPR”-controlled Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, 50km west of Luhansk) the SMM heard 45 explosions assessed as artillery 10-15km south and west.

The SMM followed up on reports of civilian casualties. In government-controlled Zolote-4 (60km west of Luhansk) a resident told the SMM that a man had been wounded in an explosion in a wooded area and had been taken to hospital on the morning of 8 November. At a hospital in government-controlled Lysychansk (75km north-west of Luhansk) medical staff told the SMM that a man had been brought from Zolote with shrapnel wounds to his chest, shoulder and eye. Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Dokuchaievsk (30km south-west of Donetsk) the SMM heard four bursts of undetermined gunfire (3-5 rounds each) 2-5km west. A Russian Federation Armed Forces officer from the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) told the SMM subsequently that a woman had been injured. At the hospital in Dokuchaievsk, an injured woman told the SMM that she had heard gunfire as she was standing on her balcony. According to her, a window shattered, with shards of glass causing cuts to her chest.

The SMM followed up on reports of shelling damage in residential areas. In Dokuchaievsk the SMM saw seven fresh impact sites on Lenin Street, Tsentralna Street, and Likholetova Street. At all locations the SMM observed impacts on the west-facing walls of residential buildings and to a shed, which it assessed to have been caused by 30mm-cannon fire, or heavy-machine-gun fire from the west. One male resident in Likholetova Street showed the SMM holes in the west-facing wall of a metal shed and produced a cannon round (30mm) that he said he had taken from the site. He said the round had struck at around 15:50 on 6 November. The SMM observed damage to a west-facing window frame and a satellite dish at a nearby building which a female resident said was caused when a projectile had hit at about 15:00 on 6 November.

In “DPR”-controlled Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk), accompanied by a Russian Federation Armed Forces officer from the JCCC and an armed “DPR” member, the SMM observed three relatively fresh impact sites, two on Frunze Street and one Lenin Street. On Frunze Street, the first impact was on the south-facing wall and roof of a building. The SMM observed that the building was undergoing repair, although the SMM assessed that the building had sustained significant structural damage as a result of an explosion. The SMM observed a second impact in the garden of a house and saw shrapnel damage to nearby trees. The owner of the house (female, aged in her forties) said that the rounds had hit at 23:30 and 23:50 on 7 November. A neighbour (male, aged in his fifties) showed the SMM the shattered windows of his house, which he said had been damaged by the shelling. The SMM assessed the impacts were caused by artillery (122mm) fired from a southerly or south-westerly direction.

On Lenin Street the SMM saw an impact site between two houses and observed that the north-facing wall and roof of a building had been damaged as a result of an explosion. The building opposite had also sustained shrapnel damage to the south-facing wall and roof. A resident (female, aged about 60) said she had heard an explosion at about 23:40 on 7 November. The SMM assessed that the damage had been caused by mortar (120mm) but could not determine the direction of fire.

At the Technical school on Nahimov Street in government-controlled Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk) the SMM observed shattered windows and shrapnel damage to walls, ceilings and furniture. The SMM assessed that the damage was caused by anti-aircraft-gunfire (ZU-23, 23mm) from the east. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer from the JCCC showed the SMM a round from an anti-aircraft gun that he said had caused the damage. According to one of the teachers, the damage had been caused at around 02:00 on 8 November. No one was reported injured.

In “LPR”-controlled Zhovte (17km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM observed fresh impacts to the north-facing wall of a house, a broken window and a broken gas pipe, which was being repaired, which it assessed as caused by automatic-grenade-launcher (AGS-17) fire from the north. About 1km away the SMM saw 19 fresh impacts around an “LPR” checkpoint, 17 assessed as caused by IFV (BMP-1) cannon fire (73mm) and two by mortars (82mm), fired from a northerly direction.

The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas of Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote (60km west of Luhansk) and Petrivske (41km south of Donetsk), as foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September. The SMM’s access remained restricted in all three areas,* but the Mission was able to partially monitor them. It noted no demining or fencing off of mines in any of the areas.

The SMM was able to approach the railway bridge from government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska after the Ukrainian Armed Forces commander and an officer from the JCCC said it was safe to do so. The latter told the SMM that there had been no progress on disengagement or on demining. The SMM could not proceed from the “LPR” checkpoint south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge toward the railway bridge due to the threat of mines.* An armed man at the checkpoint said no demining had taken place and that there were no plans to demine. According to the representative of the Russian Federation to the JCCC, the JCCC ensured that the opening and closing times (08:00-18:00) of the Stanytsia Luhanska entry-exit checkpoints were co-ordinated. In government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska the SMM observed an armoured personnel carrier (APC; BRDM-2) and three IFVs (BMP), one of which was inside the disengagement area. This APC and one IFV were observed in the yards of houses.

The SMM crossed between government-controlled Zolote and “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (58km west of Luhansk) on the main route through the disengagement area. On the government-controlled side of the disengagement area a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer from the JCCC told the SMM that the area had been calm for the previous 24 hours. On the southern side of the disengagement area, unarmed “LPR” members also said the area had been calm for the previous 24 hours.

Near “DPR”-controlled Petrivske a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer from the JCCC advised the SMM not to proceed from government-controlled Bohdanivka (41km south of Donetsk) to Viktorivka (42km south-west of Donetsk) as the road was mined.* He did not indicate how the JCCC was co-ordinating their clearance or otherwise addressing this impediment to monitoring and verification.

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

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 a government-controlled area beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed 18 mortars (six 2B11 Sani, 120mm and 12 PM-38, 120mm) for the first time and recorded their serial numbers. The SMM observed 12 towed howitzers (D-20, 152mm). The following weapons remain missing: 16 towed howitzers (D-20, 152mm), 18 self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) and six anti-tank guns (D-48, 85mm), all as first observed on 14 March 2016.

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles[2] in the security zone. In government-controlled areas the SMM saw an APC (BRDM-2) and three IFVs (BMP) in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), one of which was inside the disengagement area (reported above). In “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve the SMM observed one IFV (BMP-1 PRP-3).

The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure, co-ordinated by the JCCC. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to the water pumping station  near government-controlled Artema (26km north of Luhansk), repairs to a water pipeline in “LPR”-controlled Obozne (18km north of Luhansk) and works at the water pumping station near “LPR”-controlled Slovianoserbsk (28km north-west of Luhansk).

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Odessa, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Chernivtsi, and Kyiv.

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance, 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:

• The SMM could not proceed from the “LPR” checkpoint south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk) toward the railway bridge due to the threat of mines. The SMM observed a sign warning of mines on the road and was told by an armed man at the checkpoint that no demining had taken place. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• The SMM could not travel across the bridge in government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk) in either direction as a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier and an armed “LPR” member said the bridge was still mined. The SMM informed the JCCC.         
• A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer from the JCCC advised the SMM not to proceed from government-controlled Bohdanivka (41km south of Donetsk) to Viktorivka (42km south-west of Donetsk) as the road was mined. The SMM informed the JCCC.

Delay:

• Ukrainian Armed Forces initially denied the SMM access to a compound in government-controlled Ivanivka (59km south-west of Donetsk). They called their superiors and the SMM was allowed to enter after 30 minutes. 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.

[2] This hardware is not proscribed by the provisions of the Minsk agreements on the withdrawal of weapons.