Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 08:00 (Moscow time), on 1 October 2014
This report is for media and the general public.
SUMMARY
Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) is operating at full capacity. Cross-border traffic flows remained steady at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs) and the total number of border-crossings has slightly increased. Similar to the previous week, more people left the Russian Federation (RF) for Ukraine at the two observed BCPs. Regular local and long-distance bus connections are now operating between cities in the RF and the Luhansk region. The OM observed again considerable numbers of persons in camouflage clothing crossing the border.
DETAIL
OM’s arrival, establishment and observation work
Fifteen international observers continued to provide a permanent presence at the two BCPs of Donetsk and Gukovo. The OM is currently operating with 17 staff members (including two administrative assistants). One international staff member had to return home but will be replaced next week.
Cross-border movements common to both BCPs
The profile of the people crossing the border remains unchanged and can be categorised as follows:
- Families on foot or by car with a lot of luggage;
- Elderly people with few bags;
- Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
- People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks.
The average number of entries/exits has increased from 7,801 to 8,289 per day for both BCPs during this reporting period. The OM has observed that the majority of people continued to cross the border from the Russian Federation (RF) to Ukraine, with an average net flow, i.e. the balance of entries and exits, of minus 1,486 per day for both BCPs. 10,399 persons have returned to Ukraine through both BCPs. Again Donetsk BCP experienced more traffic than Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs account for 42 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov Oblast. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border have number plates issued in the Luhansk region, including the long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk and Moscow.
Common observations at the BCPs
The situation at both BCPs remained calm. People who cross the border regularly talk to the Observer Teams (OTs). All interlocutors stated that the intensity of fighting and shelling has further declined during the reporting period. Those who crossed the border from Ukraine reported that water and electricity supplies have resumed in several parts of the Luhansk region. Most daily-needed items are available, however, many complain about the high prices. Not having received pensions for more than four months, pensioners face increasing difficulties and often depend on the support of their relatives or neighbours.
Several local and long-distance bus connections between the Luhansk region and RF cities (Moscow-Luhansk, Moscow-Pervomaisk, Kamensk-Luhansk, Kamensk-Sverdlovsk) also indicate a normalisation of the situation.
Throughout the week, the OTs continued to observe a steady flow of men and women in military-style dress, who crossed the border equally in both directions but overwhelmingly at Donetsk BCP. The observers counted a total number of 372 persons and did not see any of them carrying weapons.
An increasing number of these persons wore a hat that is generally attributed to Cossacks (‘kubanka’ in Russian). Some of them carried an ID card and badges on their sleeves in blue on top, yellow in the centre and red on the bottom. On the ID cards was written ‘Cossack National Guard’. Flags in the same colours were on display on several observed vehicles. The flag resembles the flag of the RF Rostov region.
The OTs had several interactions with supporters of the self-proclaimed republics. In one instance, two men in camouflage clothing requested the OSCE to inquire about the fate of a companion who was captured on Ukrainian territory before the ceasefire protocol was signed.
Military movement
The number of aircraft observations has significantly decreased, possibly also due to poor weather conditions. During the previous week, the OM recorded twelve observations compared to three this week. On 30 September the OTs heard the sound of a propeller aircraft again at both BCPs after it had been absent for several days. It was following the same flight patterns in very regular schedules with intervals varying from 18 to 25 minutes. Within the limitations of observing aircraft without technical means, the OTs assessed that the aircraft did not violate Ukrainian airspace in the vicinity of the BCPs.
Observation at the Gukovo BCP
The traffic flow at Gukovo BCP remained at the same level as last week. A daily average of 2,795 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for 14 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. However, the net flow continued to be negative for the third week in a row, with a daily average of 254 persons leaving the RF. This statistic indicates a return movement into Ukraine.
During the week, the OM observed a total of 29 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at Gukovo BCP, 24 left for Ukraine and five entered the RF.
On 26 September the OT heard, for three hours, more than 160 reports of mortar fire and of automatic cannons. The direction, rhythm and intervals between the detonations indicate that the sounds originated from a firing practice on RF territory.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period, the activity at the Donetsk BCP remained at the same level. The daily average of entries and exits increased slightly from 5,424 to 5,494. This number accounted for 28 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow remained negative with 1,231 exits to Ukraine on average per day. The total number of border-crossings at Donetsk BCP was nearly double that of Gukovo BCP. Similar to the Gukovo BCP, these figures reflect a return movement into Ukraine.
The number of persons in military clothing who crossed the border at Donetsk BCP has slightly decreased. The OTs observed a total of 343 persons in military clothing compared to 397 during the previous week. They crossed the border individually or in groups, predominantly from Ukraine to the RF. The OTs also observed some of these people, visibly wounded, crossing in either direction. On 27 September the OT observed the transfer of a coffin from Ukraine to the RF.