Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 26 October 2015

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained largely calm.

Donetsk region remained largely calm and the SMM noted two ceasefire violations. From its position at the “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Donetsk railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk) observation post, the SMM heard one explosion and six bursts of small arms.

In the area of the Government checkpoint near Zaitseve (50km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM was stopped by passengers and drivers queuing at the checkpoint. The group gathered around the SMM vehicles and expressed their frustration about what they said were five-hour long queues at the checkpoint. Earlier, the border guard in charge of the checkpoint had told the SMM that the checkpoint is operating at maximum capacity and therefore cannot process at a faster rate. He also told the SMM that people arriving at the checkpoint without regular documents were provided with the necessary paperwork on the spot.

At the “DPR”-controlled checkpoint in Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM saw some 20 trucks with Ukrainian registration plates and labelled “Swiss Humanitarian Aid”.

The overall situation in Luhansk region was relatively calm and the SMM observed no firing incidents.

The SMM facilitated and monitored the removal of unexploded ordnance (UXO) on and around the bridge over the Siverskyi Donets river at the outskirts of government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk). On the government-controlled side of the bridge, the SMM accompanied a Ukrainian Armed Forces demining team and observed the removal of all previously observed six UXOs. In the “LPR”-controlled area of the bridge, the SMM observed a “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”) demining team remove another three UXOs from the bridge road. Additionally, the SMM saw two civilians using pathways through the forest around the bridge to cross an area that is mined and contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO), as has been repeatedly conveyed to the SMM by interlocutors from all sides. The SMM also observed that a metal information board had been erected facing the “LPR”-controlled side of the bridge reading “Ukraine”. The board was in Ukrainian and Russian and provided information about the operating regime of the checkpoint as well as phone numbers people can use to find out more about access through the checkpoint.

The SMM monitored a window of silence requested by Luhansk Energy Association  company on the south bank of the Siverskyi Donets river, in an “LPR”-controlled area across the river from government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk). The company is to repair power lines and water supply pumping infrastructure, which were damaged as a result of the conflict. The power cables supply electricity to “LPR”-controlled areas as well as government-controlled areas. The lead engineer (male, over 30) told the SMM that an “LPR” demining team would clear the areas to enable the repairs. The SMM saw the demining team at the site.

The SMM visited the pedestrian crossing point at the border between Ukraine and the Russian Federation at “LPR”-controlled Novoborovytsi (79km south of Luhansk). The SMM observed that the crossing point is no longer staffed by armed “LPR” members on the Ukrainian side of the border. This was the first time the SMM was able to visit since March 2015. The Russian Federation Border Guards continue to perform checks of the people crossing on foot into the Russian Federation.

In carrying out its responsibilities under the Addendum to the Package of measures, the SMM revisited three designated Ukrainian Armed Forces weapons storage sites, whose locations corresponded with respective withdrawal lines. All weapons registered as withdrawn to these sites were present. At one of the sites, the SMM recorded the serial number of one additional destroyed main battle tank (MBT), which did not match serial numbers provided in the inventory. In Luhansk region the SMM revisited two Ukrainian Armed Forces weapons storage sites and verified that all weapons previously registered as withdrawn to those sites were present and their serial numbers corresponded with the information provided in the inventories.

In relation to the further implementation of the Addendum, the SMM revisited four designated “DPR” weapons storage sites, the locations of which corresponded with respective withdrawal lines. At two of the sites, the SMM found all previously recorded weapons present. At the third site, the SMM observed one previously recorded MBT missing and observed one new MBT present, whose serial number the SMM recorded for the first time. At the fourth site, the SMM found five previously registered MBTs missing and five different MBTs present, whose serial numbers the SMM recorded for the first time

The SMM revisited two “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas whose locations corresponded with the respective withdrawal lines. At one area, the SMM observed all previously recorded weapons to be present. At the second, the SMM noted that one self-propelled howitzer (2S1, 122mm) was absent, as it was on 20 October (see SMM Daily Report 21 October 2015 ).

In areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines the SMM observed at a training area in “LPR”-controlled Uspenka (23km south-west of Luhansk) nine self-propelled howitzers (2S1, 122mm calibre), one MBT and four tented military trucks. A previously observed shelter for guards had been removed. At a training area in “LPR”- controlled Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk) the SMM did not see any guards. Twenty tanks which the SMM had previously observed there (see SMM Daily Report 25 September 2015) were now absent. The SMM identified the remnants of a rocket from a multiple launch rocket system (BM-30 Smerch) near “LPR”-controlled Samsonivka (34km south-east of Luhansk), outside the security zone, on the side of the main road leading to “LPR”-controlled Krasnodon (43km south-east of Luhansk).

In Kyiv, in front of the Cabinet of Ministers Building, the SMM noted 33 tents had been set up and food was being served by representatives from the Radical Party and from the social initiative Tariff Maidan, who expressed their dissatisfaction with recent increases in utility prices in posters and leaflets. Approximately 40 people (male, between the ages of 20-60) in various military uniforms and civilian clothes were present. The number of people was lower than previously observed (see SMM Daily Report 22 October 2015). Approximately ten policemen and five national guardsmen were present. The gathering remained peaceful.

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

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by the parties and security considerations, including mine threats, damaged infrastructure, and the unpredictability of the situation in Donbas. Armed individuals continue to prevent the SMM from monitoring most areas close to the international border with the Russian Federation in parts of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government.

Delayed access:

• Armed men delayed the SMM’s access to two “DPR” weapons storage sites for some 15-30 minutes claiming to be waiting for permission from their superiors.
• At the government-controlled checkpoint in Olhynka (41km south-west of Donetsk), Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers delayed the SMM for 17 minutes. After communicating several times with their superiors over the radio, the SMM was able to proceed.