Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 28 March 2017

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded on 28 March fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, but more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region, compared with 27 March. The Mission followed up on a report of a civilian casualty in Yasynuvata. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted.* An armed man opened fire near the SMM in Kozatske, while the Mission was approaching a compound. The Mission observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines. The SMM noted long queues at the government checkpoint north of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. The blockade of railway routes continued. In Kyiv the SMM saw that a protest in front of a bank had ended.

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations,[1] including about 550 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (about 750 explosions), mostly in areas of Horlivka and north-east of Mariupol.

While in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city centre on the evening and night of 27-28 March, the SMM heard 43 undetermined explosions and heavy-machine-gun fire 3-15km north-north-west and north. During the day on 28 March, positioned at the central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM heard about 80 undetermined explosions 3-7km at directions ranging from west to north.

On the evening and night of 27-28 March, the SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) recorded one undetermined explosion followed by a total of seven undetermined explosions and an exchange of a total of 29 projectiles in flight, (beginning with four projectiles from north to south and four projectiles in flight from south to north, followed by six from north to south, seven from south to north, seven from south-west to north-east, and one from south-west to north-east), all 2-6km east-south-east. In the late afternoon of 28 March, the camera recorded 12 undetermined explosions 3-5km east-south-east.

On the night of 27-28 March, the SMM camera at the “DPR”-controlled Oktiabr mine (9km north-west of Donetsk city centre) recorded, in sequence, two projectiles in flight from north-west to south-east, two projectiles in flight from south-east to north-west, one projectile in flight from north-west to south-east, one undetermined explosion and one airburst, all 6-10km north-east.

On 28 March, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard over 70 undetermined explosions and small-arms fire 2-5km at directions ranging from west-south-west to north-north-east.

On the evening of 27 March, while in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard, in approximately four hours, 222 explosions: 32 were assessed as outgoing rounds, including 30 of infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) (BMP-1) cannon (73mm); 56 were assessed as impacts, including 27 of automatic-grenade-launcher rounds; and 134 were assessed as artillery rounds. The SMM also heard uncountable, overlapping bursts and shots of IFV (BMP-2) cannon (30mm), heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, as well as 15 bursts of anti-aircraft cannon (ZU-23-2, 23mm) fire. All the violations were 3-7km at directions ranging from south-south-west to north-north-west.

On the evening of 27 March, while in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 44 undetermined explosions 5-8km north-north-west and north-west and 20 undetermined explosions 5-7km south-east.

On the evening of 27 March, in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 53 explosions assessed as outgoing rounds of undetermined weapons 7-10km north-west, 17 undetermined explosions 5-7km north-west, 27 undetermined explosions 6-10km east-south-east and south-east and six shots of IFV (BMP-2) cannon fire 7km south-west.

On the evening and night of 27-28 March the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded, in sequence, 38 undetermined explosions, five tracer rounds in flight from east to west, and two undetermined explosions, followed by an exchange of almost 400 tracer rounds in flight (about 160 from east to west and about 230 from west to east). All the violations were at undetermined distances north of the camera.

On 28 March, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka (24km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard one explosion assessed as an outgoing mortar round 1km west and eight undetermined explosions at unknown distances north-north-west.

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more explosions (110) on 28 March compared with 27 March (33). On the night of 27-28 March, while in “LPR”-controlled Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, 50km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 41 explosions assessed as rounds of undetermined weapons (37 impacts and four outgoing) 2-10km west-north-west and 16 explosions assessed as artillery rounds (eight outgoing and eight subsequent impacts) over 10km south-west and west. On the afternoon of 28 March, while in the same location, the SMM heard 46 explosions (44 assessed as impacts and two undetermined) 5-10km west-south-west and west.

The same day, positioned in government-controlled Orikhove-Donetske (44km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 26 shots of IFV (BMP-2) cannon (30mm) 5-7km south-west. Later, positioned 3km west of the village, the SMM heard another 26 shots of the same type of weapon 7-9km south-west.

On 28 March, the SMM approached a compound at the eastern edge of “DPR”-controlled Kozatske (36km north-east of Mariupol), where the Mission has previously observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and been denied access by armed “DPR” members. (See SMM Daily Report 11 February 2017 and SMM Daily Report 8 March 2017.) Three of them walked towards the SMM. 30-40m away from the SMM, one of them angrily gestured for the SMM to leave. One armed “DPR” member fired three shots from his assault rifle (AK-47) into the air and then another six toward the ground, a few metres in front of him, while he was facing the direction of the SMM. (See SMM Spot Report 28 March 2017.)

At two other compounds in Kozatske, “DPR” members denied the SMM access.* Next to one of the compounds, the SMM saw fresh tracks assessed as those of two tanks (T-72) heading west.

The SMM followed up on reports of a civilian casualty and damage to infrastructure and houses from gunfire and shelling. On 28 March, medical staff of the railway hospital in Yasynuvata told the SMM that on 21 February a 76-year-old woman, resident of Yasynuvata, had been admitted to the hospital with bruises and multiple traumatic injuries and had been treated in the hospital for over one month. The SMM saw in the hospital registration book that the woman had been at her home at 18 Hoholia Street, when a bullet penetrated the window, causing her to fall on the ground and sustain injuries.

The same day, the SMM saw ten fresh craters in a field between government-controlled Sartana (15km north-east of Mariupol) and government-controlled Orlivske (23km north-east of Mariupol). The SMM assessed that the craters had been caused by 122mm artillery rounds fired from a north-easterly direction.

The SMM saw two fresh craters in the western part of “LPR”-controlled Sokilnyky (39km north-west of Luhansk), 3-4m south of the main road. The craters were 30m apart and both were 7m north of inhabited houses. The SMM assessed that both impacts had been caused by 82mm mortar rounds fired from a north-north-westerly direction and were about 50m south-east of an “LPR” checkpoint.

The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas of Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), 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 but the Mission was able to partially monitor them.*

On 28 March, positioned in an “LPR”-controlled area south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, inside the disengagement area, the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 5km north-east, assessed as outside the disengagement area. The SMM also observed, inside the disengagement area, the continued reinforcement with concrete blocks of an “LPR” position just south of the bridge. (See SMM Daily Report 28 March 2017.)

On the night of 26-27 March, the SMM camera in government-controlled Zolote recorded, in sequence, one burst of small-arms fire 2.8km east-south-east, one undetermined explosion 4.5km south-south-east and one undetermined explosion 4km south-west, all assessed as outside the disengagement area. On 28 March, positioned 100m south of the disengagement area, the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 5km south-west, assessed as outside the disengagement area.

The SMM noted a calm situation at the disengagement area while present near “DPR”-controlled Petrivske.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, in implementation of the Package of Measures, its Addendum, and the Memorandum.[2]

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed three multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) near government-controlled Izhevka (66km north of Donetsk).

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 saw seven self-propelled howitzers (four 2S9 Nona-S, 120mm; and three 2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), two towed howitzers (D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) and two surface-to-air missile systems (9K37, 400mm). An SMM mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted 17 self-propelled howitzers (2S1) and six MLRS (9A53 Uragan, 220mm). The SMM noted as missing two towed howitzers (D-30) and 22 self-propelled howitzers (2S1), two of which were observed as missing for the first time.

Beyond the respective withdrawal line, but outside designated storage sites, the SMM saw two MLRS (9A53 Uragan, 220mm) 5km west of government-controlled Sviatohirsk (117km north of Donetsk).

The SMM also observed, in the security zone, two armoured personnel carriers (APCs)[3] (one BTR-variant and one BRDM-2) near government-controlled Kostiantynivka (33km south-west of Donetsk).

The SMM continued to observe the presence of mine hazard signs. On 28 March, 3.4km north-west of “DPR”-controlled Styla (34km south of Donetsk), the SMM saw for the first time two mine signs, both square with a skull and written warning – the first one yellow with black letters on a wooden pole and the second red with white letters on a tree adjacent to a tarmac road.

The SMM monitored the continuation of the blockade of railway routes. On 28 March, the SMM noted no changes and a calm situation in government-controlled Buhas (44km south-west of Donetsk), Hirske (63km west of Luhansk) and Bakhmut (formerly Artemivsk, 67km north of Donetsk).

The SMM again noted long queues at entry-exit checkpoints. At the government checkpoint north of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, at approximately 10:30 the SMM observed about 600 people queuing to exit government-controlled areas, and about 1,200 people queuing in the opposite direction. At 10:00 the SMM saw workers of a funeral company crossing into the government-controlled area from “LPR”-controlled areas with a coffin.

In Kyiv the SMM saw that the protest in front of the main branch of Sberbank of Russia on 46 Volodymyrska Street (see SMM Daily Report 25 March 2017) had ended. Before noon the SMM saw workers removing the wall that had been constructed in the entranceway and noted that the tents had been removed and no activists were present. In the afternoon, the SMM saw workers removing protest posters and cleaning graffiti from the façade of the branch and people using the unblocked entrance. The Mission noted a calm situation and no law enforcement presence.

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

*Restrictions of 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 (UXO), 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. They have also agreed that the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance.

Denial of access:

• At the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, a Ukrainian officer of the JCCC told the SMM that its safety still could not be guaranteed in the areas surrounding the main road due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• At an “LPR” checkpoint on the edge of the Zolote disengagement area, armed men told the SMM that its safety still could not be guaranteed in the fields and side roads due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• The SMM was again unable to travel west from “DPR”-controlled Petrivske due to a lack of security guarantees and the possible presence of mines. The Mission informed the JCCC.
• The SMM still could not travel south of the bridge in government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk), as Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel said there were mines on the road south of the bridge. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• The presence of anti-tank obstacles and mine hazard signs on the road prevented the SMM from traveling between government-controlled Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk) and government-controlled Popasna (69km west of Luhansk). Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel present told the SMM that the road was mined and permission from higher-level authorities was needed.
• At a checkpoint 3.4km east-north-east of “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk), armed men denied passage to the SMM. 
• An armed “DPR” member denied passage to the SMM that was leaving “DPR”-controlled Petrivske (41km south of Donetsk) headed toward “DPR”-controlled Rozdolne (46km south-east of Donetsk). The SMM informed the JCCC.
• A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer denied the SMM access to a compound north-east of government-controlled Dobropillia (75km north-west of Donetsk). The SMM informed the JCCC.
• Armed “DPR” members denied the SMM access to a compound in Kozatske, stating that access could only be granted by prior arrangement.
• Later in the day, an unarmed “DPR” member denied the SMM access to a second compound in Kozatske, citing the absence of his “commander”.
• At a third compound in Kozatske, an armed “DPR” member denied the SMM access, firing shots into the air. The SMM informed the JCCC. (See SMM Spot Report 28 March 2017.)  

[1] Please see the annexed table for complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report.

[2] Despite the joint statement of 1 February by the Trilateral Contact Group and the consent reached on 15 February, the sides have not yet provided the baseline information requested by the SMM related to weapons to be withdrawn and locations of units and formations.

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