OSCE SMM Spot Report 26/2021: Members of the armed formations denied the SMM access to Staromykhailivka and threatened to shoot down an SMM mini-UAV

On 19 November at 09:45, at a checkpoint in Staromykhailivka (non-government-controlled, 15km west of Donetsk), two visibly armed members of the armed formations denied the SMM passage into the settlement, referring to a need to obtain approval from their superiors. The patrol’s task was to follow up on allegations of damaged civilian property in the settlement. At 10:25, they said that the SMM should contact senior members of the armed formations to facilitate access to the settlement.

After waiting for about 50 minutes at the checkpoint, the patrol informed the members of the armed formations at 10:35 of their intention to fly their unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the settlement to follow up on the alleged damage. After consulting with superiors on the phone, the members of the armed formations threatened to shoot down the SMM’s UAV if it was launched. The Mission did not launch the UAV and left the area.

The Mission highlights that the OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 specifies that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas is essential to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation, as well as other mandated tasks. Also the SMM again notes that technical assets are an inseparable part of the Mission’s operational infrastructure; as such they are included in the specification of OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas, including by technical means, is essential to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation, as well as other mandated tasks. The mandate also tasks the Mission to report on any restrictions of its freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate.