Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 26 February 2018

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous 24 hours. Small arms were fired towards an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region. The Mission observed fresh damage caused by weapons, including to civilian property, in Pidlisne and Trokhizbenka. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and observed calm situations. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including again at the Chervona Mohyla railway station near Voznesenivka and at a border crossing point at the border with the Russian Federation in an area not under government control in Luhansk region, where the SMM has been restricted constantly since 15 February.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in a non-government-controlled area. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs to a water pumping station near Artema and to a water pipeline between Zolote and Popasna. The SMM monitored a religious procession in Zaporizhzhia and a gathering in Kyiv, which marked the fourth anniversary of the events in Crimea.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations[1], including about 125 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (65 explosions).

On the evening of 25 February, while in Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 11 undetermined explosions and a burst of heavy-machine-gun fire 5-8km south-south-west and west-south-west. On the same evening, while in Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 22 undetermined explosions and about 100 bursts and shots of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 4-6km south-east and south. The following day, while in Svitlodarsk, the SMM heard an undetermined explosion 3-4km south-west.

In continuation of ceasefire violations recorded in the early evening of 25 February (see SMM Daily Report 26 February 2018), on the evening and night of 25-26 February, the SMM camera at the Donetsk Filtration Station (15km north of Donetsk) recorded totals of 356 projectiles in flight (331 from west to east and 25 from east to west), four illumination flares (one from south-east to north-west and three from east to west) and 46 undetermined explosions, all 0.5-3km south. In the late afternoon of 26 February, the same camera recorded 37 projectiles in flight from west to east and an undetermined explosion 0.5-3km south.

In continuation of ceasefire violations recorded in the early evening of 25 February (see SMM Daily Report 26 February 2018), on the evening and night of 25-26 February, the SMM camera 1km south-west of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded totals of 240 projectiles in flight (202 from west to east and 38 from east to west) and nine undetermined explosions, all 1-4km north. In the late afternoon of 26 February, the same camera recorded six projectiles in flight from east to west, followed by two undetermined explosions, all 1-4km north.

Positioned at the railway station in Yasynuvata (non-government-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk) for about four hours during the day on 26 February, the SMM heard 12 undetermined explosions as well as ten bursts and shots of small-arms fire, all 2-6km at directions ranging from south-west to north.

Positioned 2.5km south-east of Lomakyne (government-controlled, 15km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard, over a period of 12 minutes, 11 explosions assessed as outgoing mortar rounds 5-6km east-south-east and their subsequent impacts 5-6km south-east.

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including 18 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (two explosions). Positioned in Kalynove-Borshchuvate (non-government-controlled, 61km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard ten undetermined explosions 10-15km north-east. Positioned 1.5km south-west of Molodizhne (non-government-controlled, 63km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard five undetermined explosions 10-15km south and two shots of small-arms fire 5-7km north-east.

Small arms were fired towards an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Positioned south-west of Sarabash (non-government-controlled formerly Komunarivka, 26km south of Donetsk) while conducting a UAV flight, the SMM heard 18 shots of small-arms fire 1.5km north, in the area where the UAV was flying on the western edge of Sarabash. The SMM assessed the fire as directed at the UAV, which was landed safely.* The UAV spotted four self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) in the area.

The SMM followed up on reports of fresh damage caused by gunfire and shelling, including to civilian properties. On 25 February, in Pidlisne (government-controlled, 70km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM observed a fresh hole (2m wide, 1m high) in the east-facing wall of a house at 23 Pervomaiska Street, assessed as caused by a 100m artillery round fired from an east-south-easterly direction, and shrapnel damage to the concrete foundation under the wall as well as to three window wooden frames. The Mission saw that the opposite wall had been damaged by shrapnel and bricks had fallen off. The SMM saw that tiles were missing from the eastern side of a semi-detached shade structure on the southern side of the house and saw debris from the tiles in the garden. In addition, the SMM observed fresh shrapnel damage to the trunks of two trees about 1.5m east of the house. A resident of Pidlisne told the SMM that shelling had occurred on 24 February and that nobody had been present in the house at the time, as it was uninhabited.

About 500m north of the abovementioned house and 50m east of a natural gas distribution warehouse, the SMM saw three craters in a field, assessed as caused by 100m artillery rounds fired from an easterly direction. The SMM had also observed fresh impacts in a nearby field in Pidlisne on 24 February (See SMM Daily Report 26 February 2018).

In a residential area in the south-eastern edge of Trokhizbenka (government-controlled, 32km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM observed a fresh impact site (15cm x 15cm) in the ground about 10m north-west of a checkpoint. The SMM could not assess the type of weapon or direction of fire. The SMM saw a black mark, assessed as gun powder residue, on the upper part of the north-east facing wall of a house on Miru Street, 2m south-west of the above impact site. The owner of the house told the SMM that the black mark had been caused by shelling on the evening of 25 February. The SMM also observed multiple fresh shrapnel holes in the south-facing fence of another house on the same street, located about 15m north-east of the abovementioned checkpoint.

The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk), Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk) and Petrivske (non-government-controlled, 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 26 February, positioned near the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, the SMM noted calm situations.

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 areas outside of government control, an SMM mini-UAV (see section on “small arms fired towards an SMM UAV” above) spotted four self-propelled howitzers (2S1) about 2.6km west of Sarabash.

Beyond withdrawal lines, but outside designated storage sites, in government-controlled areas, the SMM observed ten self-propelled howitzers (2S1) near Kalynove (formerly Kalinine, 65km south-west of Donetsk).

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles and an anti-aircraft gun[2] in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted on 25 February an armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) and four infantry fighting vehicles (two BMP-1 and two BMP-2) in Popasna (69km west of Luhansk) as well as an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23, 23mm) mounted on a military truck near Zolote.

In a non-government-controlled area, the SMM saw an armoured personnel carrier (MT-LB) being towed by a military-type truck near Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, 50km west of Luhansk).

The SMM monitored and facilitated repairs[3] to the Petrivske pumping station in Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk) and to a water pipeline between Zolote and Popasna.

The SMM visited three border areas not under government control.* At a border crossing point near Marynivka (78km east of Donetsk), over 40 minutes, the SMM saw seven cars (one with Russian Federation licence plates and six with “DPR” plates) and a bus with “DPR” plates, and 20 passengers aboard, enter Ukraine.

About 25 minutes after the SMM’s arrival at a border crossing point near Voznesenivka (formerly Chervonopartyzansk, 65km south-east of Luhansk), two “LPR” members told the SMM that it had to leave the area.* During its presence, the SMM saw six cars (five with Ukrainian and one with Russian Federation licence plates) entering Ukraine.

At the Chervona Mohyla railway station near Voznesenivka, the SMM saw several railway wagons, some carrying timber, and some oil tankers. After about 20 minutes, an “LPR” member told the SMM to leave the area.*

In Zaporizhzhia (70km south of Dnipro), the SMM monitored a religious procession organized by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The SMM saw more than 1,000 people (mostly elderly, about 70 per cent women) marching from Saint Andrew's Cathedral (50 Motostroiteley Avenue) to Saint Pokrovskiy Cathedral (35 Soborniy Avenue) as part of the 25 February Cross Procession. There were five police trucks, about 300 police officers and 50 National Guard officers present. During its presence, the SMM did not observe incidents.

In Kyiv, the SMM monitored a protest on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the events in Crimea. The SMM saw about 15 people (about equal numbers of men and women, mixed ages) gathered in front of the embassy of the Russian Federation at 27 Povitroflotskyi Prospect and holding banners in support of what they referred to as “Ukrainian political prisoners”. About 15 National Guard officers were present. The protest ended without any security incidents.

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Lviv, Odessa, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv 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, 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, for example, SMM Daily Report 23 February 2018.) 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:

• At a border crossing point near Voznesenivka, two “LPR” members again told the SMM that it had to leave the area.
• At the Chervona Mohyla railway station near Voznesenivka, an “LPR” member again told the SMM that it had to leave the area, as the railway station “was considered a border area”.

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 de-mining in the area during the previous 24 hours. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed and informed the JCCC. [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. [4]
• 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 that he had no information regarding any de-mining in the area in the last 24 hours. The SMM informed the JCCC. [4]

Other impediments:

Positioned about 1.5km south-west of Sarabash, the SMM heard 18 shots of small-arms fire assessed as directed at an SMM UAV, which was flying in the area.

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as a 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.

[3] Addendum: On 24 February the SMM facilitated and monitored repairs to a fibre optic cable in Vesela Hora, which restored Vodafone mobile network connection in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region. The service in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region continues to be disrupted as of early January 2018.

[4] 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.