Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 4 April 2016

This report is for media and the general public

The SMM observed a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, noting an increase in the area of Yasynuvata and around Donetsk airport, compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region the situation remained relatively calm, with a low number of ceasefire violations recorded. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, facilitate and monitor repair works, and monitor the situation affecting civilians on both sides of the contact line. The Mission encountered freedom of movement restrictions mainly in areas not controlled by the Government.* In Odessa the SMM observed a public gathering.           

The number of ceasefire violations observed in Donetsk region increased mostly in the area of Yasynuvata and around Donetsk airport compared with the previous day.[1] Positioned on the western outskirts of “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), between 10:10 and 15:00hrs, the SMM heard a total of 394 undetermined explosions, out of which 260 were recorded within only 30 minutes, 189 single shots and 263 bursts of small-arms and heavy-machine-gun fire at locations ranging from 1-5km north-north-west, north-west, west and south-west of its position.

Whilst at the “DPR”-controlled Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre) between 09:03 and 15:59hrs, the SMM heard 129 undetermined explosions, out of which it assessed three as caused by mortar (82mm), heard and saw one air burst, along with multiple bursts and single shots of small-arms and heavy-machine-gun fire 1.5-6km north-east, north-north-east, north, north-north-west, north-west and west-south-west of its position.

Positioned in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk) during the evening of 3 April, within only five minutes, the SMM heard at least 12 rounds fired from infantry fighting vehicle (BMP-1) 1km south-west of its position. While in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), from the evening of 3 April to the early morning of 4 April, the SMM heard at least 50 anti-aircraft gun rounds, six undetermined explosions assessed as caused by mortar  and 42 bursts of small-arms and heavy-machine-gun fire 2-6km south-south-east, north and west-north-west of its position.

The SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded two unknown projectiles flying at an unknown distance, at 10:41hrs from south-east to north-west and at 10:50hrs from east to west.

In Luhansk region, the situation remained relatively calm with a low number of ceasefire violations recorded. Whilst in Luhansk city in the evening hours of 3 April, the SMM heard two undetermined explosions 2-3km south of its position. Positioned 5km east of government-controlled Lopaskyne (24km north-west of Luhansk), during a three minute span, the SMM heard multiple shots of small-arms fire 3-5km south of its position, inside the security zone. Whilst 2km west of “LPR”-controlled Almazna (55km west of Luhansk) the SMM heard six explosions caused by mortar, approximately 2km east of its position, assessed as live-fire training exercises inside the security zone. While in “LPR”-controlled Nyzhni Naholchyk (64km south of Luhansk) the SMM heard 15 undetermined explosions 8-10km west of its position, assessed as live-fire training exercises outside the security zone. Positioned 1.5km of government-controlled Zolote 4 (61km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion approximately 4-5km south-west of its position.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures, the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage sites whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines and observed that nine tanks (T-64, 125mm) were missing. The SMM observed also an additional weapon at one site.

In violation of respective withdrawal lines, one tank was spotted in the area of government-controlled Opytne (12km north-west of Donetsk) by the SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures. The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October 2015 notification. The SMM revisited locations known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they do not comply with the specific criteria set out for permanent storage sites in the 16 October 2015 notification.

In government-controlled areas beyond respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed 12 anti-tank guns (12 2A29/MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) and eight multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS; BM-27 Uragan). The SMM noted that 31 anti-tank guns (2A29/MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) and six towed howitzers (D-30, 122mm) were missing. The SMM observed for the first time two MLRS (BM-27, Uragan) and three anti-tank guns (D-48, 85mm).

In “DPR”-controlled areas beyond respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such  locations and observed six anti-tank guns (MT-12, Rapira, 100mm) and two towed howitzers (D-30, 122mm).

In violation of respective withdrawal lines, five towed-artillery pieces near government-controlled Zelene Pole (40km north-west of Donetsk) were spotted by the SMM long-range UAV.

Beyond withdrawal lines, but outside storage sites the SMM observed 11 self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) stationary near government-controlled Bohoyavlenka (47km south-west of Donetsk), and six anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) in government-controlled Kremenivka (27km north-west of Mariupol).

In “LPR”-controlled areas beyond withdrawal lines, but outside storage sites, the SMM observed two self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) and one towed howitzer (D-30, 122mm) near Uspenka (23km south-west of Luhansk).

The SMM observed the presence of other hardware within the security zone: one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) mounted on a military-type truck and three infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-1) stationary in a forested area, at an “LPR” checkpoint, near government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk); two BMP-1 stationary in a forested area near “LPR”-controlled Vesela Hora (16km north of Luhansk). The SMM long-range UAV spotted two ACVs in “DPR”-controlled area, east of Avdiivka.

In government controlled areas the SMM observed: three military trucks and an armoured combat vehicle (ACV, BTR) stationary in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north-north-west of Donetsk); one military-type truck (Ural) mounted with an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) in government-controlled Pervomaiske (17km north-west of Donetsk). The SMM long-range UAV spotted two ACVs near government-controlled Opytne (12km north-west of Donetsk).; two ACVs near government-controlled Avdiivka; one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) mounted on a truck near government-controlled Popasna (80km north-east of Donetsk) and 12 ACVs near government-controlled Oleksandro-Shultyne (54km north of Donetsk).

The SMM continued to observe the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). On the main road between “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (57km west of Luhansk) and government-controlled Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM observed two anti-tank mines (TM-62M) along with pieces of unexploded ordnance (M-6 fuse for 82mm mortars) stuck in the road surface. In the vicinity of government-controlled Pavlopil (26km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM observed a road blocked by steel anti-tank barriers and a newly placed yellow coloured mine hazard sign. Notwithstanding prohibition of laying of mines in the security zone, the SMM spoke with a Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman who stated the area was closed and mines had been recently placed.  

The SMM continued to monitor the situation affecting civilian population. In government-controlled Komyshne (31km north-east of Luhansk) the SMM followed up on reports that the village had been cut off from electricity and water supply due to a dispute with the utility company about payments. An administrator from the village council building confirmed the electricity had been cut off since 28 March and the council was working without electricity. The council runs the electric water pumps that provide water for the entire village and the residents of the village have had no running water. Three residents confirmed that only some inhabitants have access to wells. The SMM spoke with the secretary and acting chairman of the village council who told that the village's water supply would resume in the afternoon, as a temporary solution had been found and the Emergency Services Ministry would presumably send a generator to provide electricity to the council offices. In “LPR”-controlled Krispenskyi (57km south-west of Luhansk) a resident (woman aged 60 years old) told the SMM that residents have to dig wells in search for water  as the central water pipeline system was not operational, while in “LPR”-controlled Antratsyt (51km south-west of Luhansk), water is delivered every second or third day.

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to a water pipeline in “LPR”-controlled Krasnyi Lyman (30km north-west of Luhansk) which will provide water for the “LPR”-controlled cities of Krasnyi Luch (21km west of Luhansk), Alchevsk (40km south-west of Luhansk), and Antratsyt (51km south-west of Luhansk). The repairs were conducted by the Luhansk water company without incident during at least a two hour span.

The SMM monitored the situation of civilians at checkpoints close to the contact line and observed long lines towards government-controlled areas. At the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk) the SMM observed approximately 250 people waiting to cross towards government-controlled areas and only a few people travelling in the opposite direction. At one Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint on highway H-15 near government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed during morning hours approximately 230 civilian vehicles travelling towards government-controlled areas, four buses and approximately 90 pedestrians heading in the opposite direction (70% women and 30% men). At a second Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in the Marinka area 98 civilian vehicles and approximately 150 people were travelling towards government-controlled areas (60% women and 40% men). The SMM observed 74 civilian vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.

In Odessa on 2 April, the SMM monitored the weekly anti-Maidan commemoration of the events of 2 May 2014 at Kulykove Pole. The SMM observed 80 anti-Maidan activists (between the ages of 30-65 years, 70 per cent women) and 80 pro-Maidan activists (between the ages of 16-60, 90 per cent men), including the leaders of many self-defence groups and 20 members from Odessa Maidan Self-defence in camouflage type clothing. The SMM also observed four uniformed police officers and 60 National Guards soldiers, who formed a straight police cordon separating the pro- and anti-Maidan groups. At the end of the commemoration, police prevented pro-Maidan Self-defence activists from attacking an anti-Maidan leader and escorted him from the square. The other anti-Maidan activists were safely escorted from the square by the members of the National Guard.

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

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

The SMM’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM's mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

• Armed “DPR” members at a checkpoint in Olenivka (“DPR”-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk) insisted to see SMM monitors’ passports. The SMM refused and waited for 60 minutes. Even though the JCCC was informed, the armed members denied access and the SMM had to take another route.
• In “LPR”-controlled Korolivka (59km south-east of Luhansk) the SMM was approached by “LPR” “border guards” who demanded the SMM to leave, citing orders to deny the SMM access in the area. Even though it informed the JCCC calling for its intervention the SMM was escorted out of the area up to “LPR”-controlled Krasnodon (43km south-east of Luhansk).
• In the vicinity of government-controlled Pavlopil, the SMM encountered a roadblock with steel anti-tank barriers and a newly placed yellow colored mine hazard sign and could not proceed further to an abandoned farm. A Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman stated the area was closed and the mines had been recently placed as a defensive measure.  

Conditional access:

• Armed “DPR” members stopped the SMM at a checkpoint near Oleksandrivka (“DPR”-controlled, 19km south-west of Donetsk), demanded to see the trunks of all OSCE vehicles and searched the contents of monitors’ personal back packs, specifically if they contain money.
• At an observation post before the “LPR” checkpoint by the bridge to government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk) an armed “LPR” member demanded to see the back compartment of OSCE vehicles.

Other impediments:

• An SMM UAV was heavily jammed for more than one hour while flying over western, south-eastern and eastern outskirts of government-controlled Popasna.
• A mini SMM UAV experienced jamming and was unable to fly over the area of government-controlled Zolote (60km west of Luhansk).

[1] For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table.