OSCE SMM Spot Report 43/2021: Armed formations twice denied the SMM’s passage near Zolote and Molodizhne, Luhansk region

On the morning of 17 December, the armed formations in Luhansk region twice denied the Mission passage to non-government-controlled areas. The SMM patrols were travelling from government-controlled areas.

The first denial occurred at 09:24 about 350m north of the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote. The second occurred at 11:07 at a checkpoint of the armed formations on road T-0504 about 1.5km south-west of Molodizhne. Members of the armed formations cited “the SMM’s safety” on the first occasion and “orders from their superiors” on the second.

Additionally, earlier in the morning, at 09:06, at a checkpoint near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote, members of the armed formations denied another SMM patrol passage inside the disengagement area citing “the SMM’s safety”. The patrol was to assist the SMM patrol crossing to non-government-controlled areas mentioned above.

In all instances, the SMM had preannounced its passage as a temporary, COVID-19 related courtesy.

For recent restrictions faced by the Mission when crossing the contact line, see previous SMM Spot Reports.

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.