Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 14 March 2018

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. It observed shelling impacts in rural residential areas near Novolaspa and eastern Horlivka. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including near Dovzhanske (a border crossing point in Luhansk region near the border with the Russian Federation) and Novolaspa.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Khlibodarivka. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to the Petrivske water pumping station in Artema and a water pipeline near Horlivka; it also facilitated access for workers to the Donetsk Filtration Station. In Kyiv the Mission monitored a gathering of 100 National Guard personnel, in Kharkiv it followed up on media reports of the vandalism of a monument, and in Uzhhorod it followed up on an incident at a public event on 8 March. In Odessa the SMM monitored two gathering commemorating the Day of Ukrainian Volunteer Fighters and in Lviv it followed up on reports of an explosion at a cemetery.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations[1], including, however, more explosions (about 110), compared with the previous reporting period (about 75 explosions).

On the evening and night of 13-14 March, the SMM camera at the Donetsk Filtration Station (15km north of Donetsk) recorded, in sequence, two undetermined explosions, two projectiles in flight from east to west, a muzzle flash, a projectile from east to west, two muzzle flashes, two projectiles from west to east and two muzzle flashes, followed by totals of five explosions, 32 projectiles from west to east and 26 projectiles from east to west, all 0.5-3km south.

On the evening and night of 13-14 March, while in Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 69 explosions assessed as outgoing 73mm cannon, 11 explosions assessed as mortar (type undetermined) rounds and more than 300 bursts and shots of heavy-machine-gun fire, all 2-7km at directions ranging from east to south.

On the early morning of 14 March, the SMM camera 1km south-west of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded 23 projectiles in flight from west to east 1-4km north.

On 14 March, near Kamianka (government-controlled, 20km north of Donetsk) the SMM heard ten explosions assessed as mortar (type undetermined) rounds 2-5km south-east.

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including one explosion, compared with the previous reporting period (20 explosions).

The SMM observed damage caused by shelling in rural residential areas. Approximately 15m north of a house at 6 Fruktova Street in the Molochnyi district of eastern Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed a crater next to a barn. A portion of the barn’s corrugated metal roof had been knocked down while the remaining parts had been punctured by shrapnel. A north-facing section of a nearby fence was knocked down and covered and scratched by what was assessed as shrapnel. The SMM assessed the impact as approximately two weeks old and caused by the explosion of a shell fired from a northerly direction. The owner of the barn told the SMM the damage had been caused by an explosion at 18:45 on 27 February.

In a field west of Novolaspa (non-government-controlled, 50km south of Donetsk), the SMM observed a fresh crater some 100m south of the road between Novolaspa and Starolaspa (non-government-controlled, 51km south of Donetsk).

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.*

On 14 March, positioned near all three disengagement areas, the SMM observed 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 near Khlibodarivka (government-controlled, 65km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed four multiple-launch rocket systems (BM-21 Grad, 122mm). On 13 March, aerial imagery revealed the presence of seven tanks (type undetermined) near Boikivske (formerly Telmanove, non-government-controlled, 67km south-east of Donetsk).

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside designated storage sites in government-controlled areas, the SMM saw a surface-to-air missile system (9K35 Strela-10) near Sievierodonetsk (74km north-west of Luhansk).

On 12 March, in non-government-controlled areas, aerial imagery revealed the presence of ten tanks (type undetermined) and 12 pieces of towed artillery (type undetermined) south-east of Miusynsk (62km south-west of Luhansk) as well as about 70 military-type armoured vehicles (for previous observations in this area see SMM Daily Report 10 March 2018). On 13 March, aerial imagery revealed the presence of fifteen pieces of probable towed artillery (type undetermined) near Buhaivka (37km south-west of Luhansk) (for previous observations see SMM Daily Report 8 March 2018); 18 tanks (type undetermined), 19 pieces of towed artillery (type undetermined), six pieces of self-propelled artillery (type undetermined) as well as about 90 military-type armoured vehicles near Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk), (for previous observations in this area see SMM Daily Report 10 March 2018); and 31 tanks (type undetermined) near Kruhlyk (31km south-west of Luhansk) (for previous observations in this area see SMM Daily Report 28 February 2018). On 14 March, the SMM observed 13 tanks (type undetermined) near Ternove (57km east of Donetsk).

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles[2] in the security zone. In government-controlled controlled areas on 14 March, the SMM saw six infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) (five BMP-1 and an undetermined BMP) and two armoured reconnaissance vehicles (BRM-1K) in the eastern outskirts of Popasna (69km west of Luhansk) and four armoured reconnaissance vehicles (BRDM) near Heorhiievka (27km south-west of Donetsk).

In non-government-controlled areas, the SMM saw an IFV (BMP-1) in Vesela Hora (16km north of Luhansk) as well as an IFV (BMP-1) and a military-type armoured vehicle near Lobacheve (13km east of Luhansk).

Near Toshkivka (government-controlled, 60km north-west of Luhansk) an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle spotted two trenches: one at least 260m in length and the other about 140m in length. Previous aerial imagery suggests that the 260m trench was dug sometime after mid-November 2017, while the other trench appears to be an older trench which has been recently re-excavated.

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to the Petrivske water pumping station in Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk) and a water pipeline near Horlivka. The SMM also facilitated the access of around 20 Voda Donbassa water company employees to the Donetsk Filtration Station and monitored the security situation from the station. The workers ensured the station remained operational. Workers of the station have recently come under fire while travelling between Yasynuvata (non-government-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk) and the station (see SMM Daily Report 14 March 2018).

The SMM visited two border areas not under government control. At a border crossing point near Dovzhanske (84km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw five cars with Ukrainian licence plates entering Ukraine. After ten minutes, an armed “LPR” member told the SMM to leave the area.*

While at a border crossing point near Marynivka (78km east of Donetsk) for 30 minutes, the SMM saw 13 cars (eight with Ukrainian and three with Russian Federation licence plates; two with “DPR” plates), three trucks (two with Ukrainian and one with Russian Federation licence plates) and three pedestrians exiting Ukraine, as well as seven cars (two with Ukrainian and four with Russian Federation licence plates; one with “DPR” plates) and two pedestrians entering Ukraine.

In Kyiv, the SMM observed about 100 National Guard personnel (men in their twenties and thirties) gathered at Maidan carrying banners calling for the release of a Ukrainian National Guard officer currently imprisoned in Italy. The men laid down flowers at the “Alley of the Heavenly Hundred” and then walked to the Embassy of Italy in Kyiv at 32 Yaroslaviv Val. There, a Member of Parliament addressed the crowds and called for the officer to be returned to Ukraine. The SMM saw 16 police and National Guard officers providing security at the embassy and but noted no incidents.

In Kharkiv, the SMM followed up on media reports that the monument to Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army had been vandalised on 13 March. At the site of the monument at 100 Pushkina Street, the SMM observed traces of red paint on the monument. According to a representative of the Union of Ukrainian Youth, members of his organization had cleaned off most of the paint on 13 March, after notifying the police. A police representative told the SMM by telephone that police had examined the scene but criminal proceedings had yet to be initiated.

In Uzhhorod (182km west of Ivano-Frankivsk), Zakarpattia region, the SMM followed up on an incident of youths throwing red liquid at speakers addressing a crowd on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8 March. (See SMM Daily Report 9 March 2018.) On 13 March, a doctor at a hospital in Uzhhorod told the SMM that on 8 March a woman (in her thirties) had been admitted with light burns to her eyes due to paint thinner having been thrown at her and that she had been released the same day. Local police told the Mission that they had criminally charged four people suspected of throwing paint at the speakers.

In Lviv, the SMM followed up on media reports of that an explosive device had been thrown into Lychakiv cemetery at 33 Mechnykova Street. The Mission saw a 30cm crater in the lawn about 20m from the nearest buildings, graves and monuments. According to the police, criminal proceedings had been initiated, but those responsible had yet to be identified.

In Odessa, the SMM monitored two gatherings commemorating the Day of Ukrainian Volunteer Fighters. At the first gathering, an official event announced in advance by the Odessa Regional State Administration, the SMM saw an honour guard composed of 100 sailors and soldiers, as well as officials placing flowers at the Monument to the “Heavenly Hundred” located behind the regional state administration building. The SMM also saw about 50 men in military-type uniforms who were identified as activists and veterans. At a second gathering, the SMM saw about 200 people (80 per cent men, aged 18-55) in the city centre, many of whom were known to the SMM to be members of various movements. The gathering featured a photo gallery of persons killed fighting in eastern Ukraine followed by a concert. Both events were peaceful.

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, 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:[3]

• At a border crossing point near Dovzhanske, an “LPR” member told the SMM to leave the area, citing orders from his “superiors”.

Related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

• 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 was prevented from accessing secondary roads south of the Zolote disengagement area due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. An armed formation 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 by phone 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.5
• The SMM did not travel across the bridge in Shchastia 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.5

Conditional access:

• At the eastern entrance to Novolaspa, an armed member of the armed formations demanded to be informed of the purpose of the SMM’s visit to the village before allowing it to enter.   

[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] The event described as a denial of access to a compound in Kremenivka on 12 March was not such. (See SMM Daily Report 13 March 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.