OSCE SMM Spot Report 38/2021: Armed formations denied the SMM’s passage near Zolote and Molodizhne, Luhansk region

On the morning of 9 December, the armed formations in Luhansk region denied the SMM passage to non-government-controlled areas twice. The SMM patrols were travelling from government-controlled areas.

The first denial occurred at 09:18, at the checkpoint near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote. The second occurred at 11:30 at a checkpoint of the armed formations on road T-0504 about 1.5km south-west of Molodizhne. Members of the armed formations cited a “lack of security guarantees” on the first occasion and a “clear order from those in control not to let the SMM cross” on the second.

While close to the checkpoint near Molodizhne, at 11:38, the SMM patrol heard at least five shots of small-arms fire at an assessed range of 20m north, assessed as originating from positions of the armed formations. The Mission immediately left the area.

For recent restrictions faced by the Mission when crossing the contact line, see SMM Spot Reports 27/2021, 28/2021, 29/2021, 30/2021, 31/2021, 32/2021, 33/2021, 34/2021, 35/2021 and 36/2021.

The Mission again notes that such denials not only restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, but also prevent the SMM’s logistical operations, which are essential for the effective functioning of the Mission.

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. The mandate also tasks the Mission to report on any restrictions of its freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate.