Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 25 March 2015

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted by third parties and by security considerations* – observed that fighting continued around the Donetsk airport. In the area of Shyrokyne, the SMM facilitated a local ceasefire which had been holding throughout the day. The SMM visited areas east of Mariupol towards Novoazovsk, at the border between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. (* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement” for further information.)

On 25 March the SMM conducted a patrol from government-controlled Mariupol along the main highway passing near the entrance to the village of Shyrokyne (“Donetsk People's Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled) and further east through Bezimenne and Novoazovsk (“DPR”-controlled, 28km and 45km respectively east of Mariupol) up to the "Novoazovsk" crossing point at the border between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. The Ukrainian Major-General, Head of the Ukrainian side to the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), and a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine were also present throughout the patrol. After leaving Mariupol, at a location 1km north of Shyrokyne, the SMM was joined by another SMM patrol*, traveling from Donetsk and escorted by "DPR" members, including the spokesperson of the "ministry of defence". The Russian Federation Colonel-General, Representative of the Russian Federation Armed Forces to the JCCC, was also present. Overlooking Shyrokyne from the main highway, the SMM observed damaged houses in the village. The SMM then proceeded to the border crossing point in Novoazovsk, where "border guard" personnel on the Ukrainian side (“DPR”-controlled) stated that the border was open. Vehicles were lined up on the Ukrainian side to cross into the Russian Federation. Also on the Ukrainian side, facing west, a convoy of at least 10 covered trucks was lined up. The SMM then returned to Mariupol, passing through an area close to Shyrokyne, where the local ceasefire was still holding.

In Mariupol the SMM met a group of 12 IDPs from Shyrokyne, five women and six men, and a girl. The adults were mostly middle-aged. They stated that most IDPs arrived in Mariupol between 1 and 15 February, but the last few arrived on 15 March after walking from Shyrokyne. According to the interlocutors, 40 children from Shyrokyne are IDPs in Mariupol. One female interlocutor said that schools had provided psychological counselling for students traumatized by the fighting and those having difficulties adjusting in Mariupol. However, several of the female interlocutors stated that some parents keep their children out of school because they fear that this new challenge will further cause stress for their children who already experienced the fighting in Shyrokyne and forced departure from their homes.

The SMM visited the Donetsk airport*, where a “DPR” member said that there were still bodies and remains of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers in the ruins of the airport’s control tower – but which, he said, could not yet be removed because of ongoing insecurity. Whilst at the airport, from 10:00 to 13:40hrs, the SMM heard more than 40 explosions and heavy machine gun fire as close as 2km and as far away as 10km to the west and north-west of the SMM’s position. Between 10:00 and 12:15hrs, the explosions occurred at a distance of 6 to-10km from the SMM’s position. The SMM could not ascertain the type of weapons or whether the fire was incoming or outgoing due to the distance from its location. Between 12:15 and 13:40hrs, the explosions in combination with heavy machine gun fire intensified and were closer – at a distance of 2 to 5km from the SMM’s position. The SMM could not ascertain the type of weaponry or whether the fire was incoming or outgoing due to the distance from its location. The SMM then visited one of the new JCCC observation posts near the Donetsk airport. JCCC personnel said they had tried unsuccessfully to arrange a local ceasefire during the day to assist in the recovery of the dead Ukrainian soldiers.

While at the Donetsk central railway station,* from 18:25 till 18:40hrs on 24 March, the SMM heard sporadic small-arms and heavy machine-gun fire from 4 to 5km distance to the north-west from the location, presumably from Pisky area.

The SMM unarmed/unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) conducted two flights on both sides of the contact line east of Mariupol. In Shyrokyne (“DPR”-controlled, 20km east of Mariupol), the UAV observed four main battle tanks (MBT). In Kominternove (government-controlled, 24km north-east of Mariupol), the UAV observed one MBT. In Zaichenko (“DPR”-controlled, 25km north-east of Mariupol), the UAV observed one MBT. In Sopyne (government-controlled, 14km east of Mariupol) the UAV observed three MBTs and a possible mortar position. In Berdianske, Lomakyne and Talakivka (government-controlled, respectively 18km, 15km and 20km east of Mariupol) the UAV observed four MBTs. In Hnutove and Oktiabr (“DPR”-controlled, respectively 19km and 28km north-east of Mariupol), the UAV observed four MBTs. In Kulykove (government-controlled, 28km north-east of Mariupol), the UAV observed one MBT on a trailer truck. On one occasion, during the flight over Hnutove, the UAV imagery was disrupted by apparent jamming.

On 25 March, the SMM travelled to “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Perevalsk (40km south-west of Luhansk) to attend a pre-arranged meeting with the “mayor” of the town. While entering Perevalsk, the SMM was stopped at the checkpoint by an armed member of the “LPR”. He said he was informed about the planned meeting, but asked the SMM to wait until he received authorization from his superior. After 40 minutes a van arrived at the check point and an armed individual with a Cossack hat approached the SMM and aggressively asked the SMM to leave the area, which he described as a closed military town. When getting out of his vehicle, the man hit the SMM vehicle’s door with the car door of his vehicle. The SMM left the area.*

At approximately 14:00hrs, while stationary at the bridge in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north of Luhansk), an armed individual on the “LPR” side of the bridge, to the south, raised his AK47 rifle and aimed at the SMM patrol members. The SMM immediately left the scene.

On 25 March, the SMM visited two “LPR” holding areas of heavy weapons where no restricted equipment was found. While attempting to visit another “LPR” holding area the SMM was at first denied access. After waiting for 50 minutes, the SMM was then allowed in the compound, where no restricted equipment was found. Finally, the SMM succeeded to enter an “LPR” holding area which it had previously attempted to enter twice but without success. The SMM was told by the “LPR” base commander that the unit inside is an “anti-aircraft” unit. The SMM could observe 11 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) in the back yard and two in front. On top of one of the APCs was an anti-aircraft rocket launcher of unknown calibre. In one of the three buildings in the area, the SMM observed ten parked military trucks. Two other buildings were locked and the SMM could not enter them.*

On 25 March, while at a location 2km north of Michurine* (“DPR”-controlled, 62km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed one T-72 main battle tank (MBT) driving south towards Michurine village. Shortly after, while proceeding through Michurine* the SMM observed three MBTs parked in the yard 60 meters east of the main road. The SMM was unable to determine the type of the tanks. At a location close to government-controlled Troitske (69km west of Luhansk) the SMM observed infantry armoured vehicles parked in a residential area and a 122mm self-propelled howitzer, located 200 meters away from the armoured vehicles. While in government-controlled Komyshuvakha (66km west of Luhansk) the SMM observed two tanks T64 heading in a northerly direction.

The SMM followed up on media reports concerning a Molotov cocktail attack on the office of the communist party in Odessa, on the night of 25 March. Upon arrival at the scene, the SMM observed burned parts on the balcony close to the entrance gate of the office and flame stains and glass fragments on the pavement inside the yard. The SMM spoke with the head of the Odessa regional branch of the communist party who confirmed that the incident had occurred at 03:00hrs on 25 March. He said that a guard was present and had called the police who arrived quickly as did the fire brigade. The damage was contained with only slight burns to the balcony as the fire did not spread. In total four Molotov cocktails were thrown; one hit the balcony, one the wall, and two others landed on the pavement of the inside yard. The interlocutor said that a group called Unknown Patriot (Nevidomy Patriot) has already published a video of the attack on social networks.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kharkiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Kherson, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Kyiv.

* Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement:

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by third parties and security considerations including the lack of information on whereabouts of landmines.

The security situation in Donbas is fluid and unpredictable and the cease-fire does not hold everywhere. For this reason, the SMM requires security guarantees from “DPR” and “LPR” which are not always provided. Where such guarantees are limited to escorted movements, and escorts are not provided for all planned patrols or are delayed, this also represents a restriction of SMM freedom of movement.

In particular during the reporting period:

• On 25 March, the SMM was escorted by “LPR” armed personnel during its patrol inside the district of Sverdlovsk (“LPR” controlled, 61km south-east of Luhansk) and was not permitted to visit any other nearby area.
• The SMM was stopped at the checkpoint for around 10mins at the entrance of government-controlled Troitske (69km west of Luhansk). The SMM was asked to provide IDs, diplomatic cards and to specify nationalities. The checkpoint commander took note of the SMM details. At the exit of the village the SMM was stopped for 16 minutes by a group of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and was again asked for IDs. After traveling 100m the SMM was again stopped by Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and was asked to turn back.