Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 19 February 2018

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations near the Zolote disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere.* The SMM visited five border areas outside of government control and was restricted in Luhansk region for the fourth day in five days.* The SMM observed continued interruption of mobile phone networks in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region. The Mission continued to facilitate and monitor repair work at a water pumping station in Artema. In Kharkiv region, the SMM followed up on media reports that commercial vehicles were unable to proceed after exiting Ukraine at the international border crossing point near Hoptivka. In Kyiv, the SMM continued to follow up on the incident at the Russia Centre for Science and Culture. In Kyiv and Odessa, the SMM monitored public gatherings.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations[1], including about 174 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (about 90 explosions).

On the evening and night of 18-19 February, the SMM camera at the Donetsk Filtration Station (15km north of Donetsk) recorded, in sequence, a projectile in flight from east to west, five undetermined explosions, a projectile in flight from west to east and two undetermined explosions, followed by totals of 126 undetermined explosions and 211 projectiles (69 east to west, 140 west to east, one south to north and one undetermined), and an illumination flare in vertical flight, all 0.5-1.5km south.

On the evening and night of 18-19 February, the SMM camera at Oktiabr mine (non-government-controlled, 9km north-west of Donetsk city centre) recorded six undetermined explosions and a projectile in flight from west to east, all 2-3km north.

On 19 February, positioned at the railway station in Yasynuvata (non-government-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk) for over four hours, the SMM heard nine undetermined explosions, 85 shots and around 100 bursts of small-arms fire, all 2-4km west. Positioned on the south-western edge of Yasynuvata later that day for one hour, the SMM heard 13 undetermined explosions, about 26 shots and about 20 bursts of small-arms fire, all 1-2km west-north-west and north-west.

On the evening of 18 February, the SMM camera at the entry-exit checkpoint in Maiorsk (government-controlled, 45km north-east of Donetsk) recorded five undetermined explosions 2-4km south-east.

On the evening of 18 February, the SMM camera 1km south-west of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded an undetermined explosion 5-8km north. 

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including 92 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (seven explosions).

During the evening of 18 February, while in Kadiivka (non-government-controlled, formerly Stakhanov, 50km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 45 undetermined explosions 12-15km west-south-west.

The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas near 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 2016. The SMM’s access remained restricted, but the Mission was able to partially monitor them.*

During the day on 19 February, positioned about 1km west of government-controlled Zolote, the SMM heard three undetermined explosions 5-6km south-south-east (assessed as outside the disengagement area) and 24 undetermined explosions and six bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 10-11km south-south-west (assessed as outside the disengagement area).   

During the day on 19 February, positioned near the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM noted a calm situation.

On 16 February, an SMM mid-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted a probable armoured personnel carrier (APC) (BTR-60) adjacent to a house in non-government-controlled Petrivske, about 400m outside the eastern edge of the disengagement area.

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

In violation of withdrawal lines, in government-controlled areas, the SMM saw two self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) about 800m north of Polkove (65km south of Donetsk).

The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage did not comply with the criteria set out in the 16 October 2015 notification from the SMM to the signatories of the Package of Measures on effective monitoring and verification of the withdrawal of heavy weapons. In non-government-controlled areas, the SMM noted that two self-propelled howitzers (2S1) continued to be missing. The SMM also noted that three heavy weapons holding areas were abandoned and that 11 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) (BM-21 Grad, 122mm), nine self-propelled howitzers (2S1) and eight anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) were missing.

In government-controlled areas, the SMM observed three towed howitzers (2A36 Giatsint-B, 152mm) and noted that five towed howitzers (2A36) continued to be missing.

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft guns[2] in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, the SMM saw an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) (BTR-4) near Makarove (19km north-east of Luhansk).

In non-government-controlled areas, the SMM saw an APC (MT-LB) near Novolaspa (50km south of Donetsk). On 17 February, an SMM mini-UAV spotted eight IFVs (BMP-1), two APCs (MT-LB) and an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23, 23mm) mounted on a truck near Lobacheve (13km east of Luhansk). On 18 February, an SMM mini-UAV spotted an IFV (BMP-2) and two IFVs (BMP-variant) east of Pivdenne (formerly Leninske, 40km north-east of Donetsk).

The SMM continued to observe the interruption of mobile phone networks in areas outside government control in Donetsk region. In a neighbourhood of Kyivskyi district (5km north of Donetsk city centre), a man (about 40 years old) told the SMM that both the Vodafone and Phoenix networks had not been working since January. Another man told the SMM that he had walked from a different neighbourhood to find a spot on Kyivskyi Avenue where the Vodafone signal had been available from nearby government-controlled areas. The SMM saw at least three other civilians walking in the same area, apparently for the same reason.   

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs and maintenance works to the Petrivske pumping station near Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk).

The SMM visited five border areas not under government control.* While parked 50m from the first gate at a border crossing point near Izvaryne (52km south-east of Luhansk) for about 45 minutes, the SMM saw ten civilian cars (eight with Ukrainian and two with Russian Federation licence plates), a bus with Ukrainian licence plates and a sign in the window reading “Moscow-Luhansk” in Russian, and 50 pedestrians (about 30 men and 20 women) exiting Ukraine. The SMM observed eight cars (four with Ukrainian and four with Russian Federation licence plates) and 38 pedestrians (13 men and 25 women) entering Ukraine. After 30 minutes, an armed “LPR” member (35-year-old man), citing orders from another “LPR” member, told the SMM to leave the area.* (See SMM Daily Report 18 February.)

While at a border crossing point in Sievernyi (50km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw seven pedestrians (six women and one man) entering Ukraine. The SMM also saw 11 cars (ten with Ukrainian and one with Russian Federation licence plates) parked in the parking lot. Upon arrival at the border crossing point, an armed “LPR” member (35-year-old man), citing “instructions”, told the SMM first to observe from a 50m distance from the first gate and then told the SMM to leave the area altogether.*

While at a border crossing point near Voznesenivka (formerly Chervonopartyzansk, 65km south-east of Luhansk) for 40 minutes, the SMM saw 12 civilian cars (six with Ukrainian and six with Russian Federation licence plates) and a passenger bus (with Russian Federation licence plates) with 30 passengers on board and a sign reading “Sverdlovsk-Gukovo” in Russian language in the window, three empty cargo trucks and five pedestrians (two men and three women, all 25-50 years old) all exiting Ukraine. The SMM also observed a car with Ukrainian licence plates queuing to enter Ukraine. Upon arrival at the border crossing point, an “LPR” member (woman, 40 years old) asked the SMM for national passports and told the SMM to leave the area after the SMM did not comply.*

The SMM also monitored the Chervona Mohyla railway station in Voznesenivka and saw around 42 stationary railway wagons (two wagons filled with wood, content in 40 wagons not visible). Two armed “LPR” members (man and woman, 35-45 years old), citing “instructions”, told the SMM to leave the area immediately.*

The SMM monitored a pedestrian border crossing point near Ulianivske (61km south-east of Donetsk) and observed two cars (with “DPR” plates) parked in a lot near the crossing point. The SMM did not see any pedestrians at the crossing point.

In Kharkiv region, the SMM followed up on media reports that commercial vehicles were unable to proceed after exiting Ukraine at the international border crossing point near Hoptivka (33km north of Kharkiv). At the border crossing point on 19 February for about 40 minutes, the Mission saw 103 cargo trucks, some with Ukrainian and some with Russian Federation licence plates, queuing to exit Ukraine in front of the border crossing area. The SMM saw seven cars and two trucks (mixed Ukrainian and Russian Federation licence plates) and 15 pedestrians (12 men and three women) enter Ukraine. A State Border Guard Service officer told the SMM that there were up to 50 trucks which were unable to proceed after exiting Ukraine inside the border crossing area. The officer said that the cargo trucks had been unable to proceed since 18:00 on 17 February and added that this situation affected only outbound cargo trucks, and not inbound cargo trucks and cars, or pedestrians travelling in either direction. A 30-year-old male driver of a cargo truck with Ukrainian licence plates queuing to exit Ukraine told the SMM that he was travelling from Kyiv to Belgorod and that he had been waiting in a queue since the morning hours of 17 February. On the afternoon of 19 February, a State Border Guard Service officer told the SMM by telephone that cargo trucks resumed exiting Ukraine at 15:00 that day.

The SMM continued to follow up on the incident at the building where the Russian Centre for Science and Culture, affiliated with Rossotrudnichestvo, is located at 2A Borysohlibska Street in Kyiv. (See SMM Daily Report 19 February 2018.) At 10:30 on 19 February, the Mission visited the centre and saw three wooden panels covering three large panes of windows, some of which had been broken. A man (about 35 years old), who was cleaning the façade of the building, told the SMM that the centre was closed that day. No law enforcement officers were nearby.

The SMM monitored a gathering in Kyiv to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Maidan events. On 19 February, the SMM saw about 100 people (men and women of different age groups) walking along Heroiv Nebesnoi Sotni Alley, some of whom were holding flowers and photographs. The gathering ended peacefully.

In Odessa, the SMM monitored a gathering on Prymorskyi Boulevard, a pedestrian street, near the Duke Monument. The Mission saw about 250 people (mostly men, aged 20-60), some of them carrying the national flag of Ukraine and flags of political parties. The SMM heard speakers addressing the crowd and expressing opposition to certain political figures. There were four police officers and two National Guard officers, as well as two buses of police and National Guard parked about 100m away. The gathering ended without incidents.

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipro, and 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. Nonetheless, the armed formations in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions frequently deny the SMM access to areas adjacent to Ukraine’s border outside control of the Government, citing orders to do so (see below). The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remain restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April 2017 near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations.

Denial of access:

• Two armed “DPR” members stopped the SMM in non-government-controlled Michurine (61km south of Donetsk) and told the SMM to leave the area. After 26 minutes, the SMM departed.
• At the border crossing point in Izvaryne (52km south-east of Luhansk), an armed “LPR” member (man, 35 years old) told the SMM that it had to leave the area. After 15 minutes, the SMM left the area.
• At 10:20 at the border crossing point in Voznesenivka (formerly Chervonopartyzansk, 65km south-east of Luhansk) an “LPR” member (woman, 40 years old) asked the SMM for national passports. The SMM did not comply. The “LPR” member told the SMM to leave the area, citing “instructions” that she had received stating that SMM patrol plans “must be approved with a stamp” and that SMM members should present national passports upon “LPR” members’ request. The SMM left at 10:50.
• At 11:00 at a railway station near Voznesenivka, two armed “LPR” members (man and woman, 35-45 years old) told the SMM to leave, citing “instructions” that the SMM “must have their patrol plans approved” by “LPR” members and that the SMM must present national passports. The SMM departed at 11:30.
• At 11:25 at the border crossing point in Sievernyi an armed “LPR” member (man, 35-40 years old) first told the SMM to observe from 50m from the first gate. He then added that the SMM should leave the area immediately based on “instructions” but did not clarify further. The SMM left the area at 11:50.

Related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

• The SMM was prevented from accessing secondary roads south of the Zolote disengagement area due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. An “LPR” member positioned on the southern side of the Zolote disengagement area told the SMM that no demining had taken place during the previous 24 hours. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed.
• The SMM was prevented from accessing secondary roads in the Zolote disengagement area due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer of the JCCC told the SMM that he had no information regarding demining in the area during the previous 24 hours. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed and informed the JCCC on both occasions.4

• The SMM was prevented from accessing parts of the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, with the exception of the main road, due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer of the JCCC told the SMM that he had no information regarding demining activities over the previous 24 hours. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed and informed the JCCC on both occasions.[3]
• The SMM did not travel across the bridge in Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk) due to the presence of mines. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer of the JCCC said there were mines on the road south of the bridge. The SMM informed the JCCC on both occasions.4

[1] For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table. The SMM camera at the entry-exit checkpoint in Marinka and the SMM camera at the entry-exit checkpoint in Pyshchevyk were not operational during the reporting period. 

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions of SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate”.

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

[3] The SMM informed Ukrainian Armed Forces officers of the JCCC. Russian Federation Armed Forces officers of the JCCC have withdrawn from the JCCC as of 18 December 2017.