Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 10 April 2016

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM recorded a lower number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region over the weekend compared to the number recorded on Friday, although violations continued to be recorded in large numbers along the contact line. Fewer violations were recorded in Luhansk region. The Mission came under small-arms fire in the government-controlled part of Zaitseve. The SMM carried out crater analysis in a number of locations near the contact line. Weapons continued to be absent from holding sites. In Luhansk city the SMM observed a number of weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines. The Mission monitored non-government-controlled parts of the border, and it was denied access to one area. The freedom of movement of the SMM was restricted mainly in areas not under government control.* The SMM observed a number of violent clashes in Odessa.

On 9 April, in Zhovanka, a government-controlled part of Zaitseve (50km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM came under small-arms fire from south-east of its position, with three or four bullets flying one to two metres over the heads of SMM monitors (see SMM Spot Report 9 April 2016). No one was injured.

The SMM observed a lower number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region over the weekend compared to the number recorded on Friday.[1] Positioned in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk) on 8-9 April, the SMM heard, between 20:55 and 00:07hrs, multiple rounds from mortars, automatic grenade launchers, infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-1 and BMP-2), multiple impacts of artillery rounds, bursts of heavy-machine gun, anti-aircraft cannon (23mm) and small-arms fire all in areas 1-10km west, south-west, south and south-east.

Near “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk) on 9 April, the SMM heard at least 20 undetermined explosions in areas ranging from the south-west to the north-west. At the same location the SMM heard multiple rounds of small-arms fire south-east of its location, which it assessed to be training related and in the security zone, in violation of recent agreements made in Minsk.

Positioned in government-controlled Avdiivka (15km north-west of Donetsk) on 9 April, the SMM heard automatic grenade launcher rounds, a number of undetermined mortar explosions (120mm), incoming and undetermined anti-tank fire (SPG-9) and bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all in areas 2-3km north-east or east.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) on 9 April, the SMM heard – in 30 minutes - 50 anti-aircraft cannon (23mm) rounds and three bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 3-12km west, north-west and south-east.

While stationary to the west of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) on 9 April, the SMM heard eight outgoing rounds (two mortar and six automatic grenade launcher rounds) at 1km north-east and 17 undetermined explosions and bursts of heavy-machine-gun at an undetermined distance east and north-east.

In “DPR”-controlled Kominternove (23km north-east of Mariupol), on 9 April the SMM heard at least fifteen undetermined explosions at an unknown distance south-east and two undetermined explosions at an unknown direction and distance, all in a two-minute period.

While in government-controlled Lebedynske (16km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard nine undetermined explosions and 20 bursts of small-arms fire at an undetermined distance south-west on 9 April, and ten outgoing mortars (calibre not determined) 5-6km east of its position a short time later.

Whilst in an area near “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka (24km east of Mariupol) on 9 April, the SMM heard 51 undetermined explosions (incoming and outgoing, undetermined number) from automatic grenade launcher and mortar (calibre undetermined), and possibly artillery, 3-4km south-west.

From a position at “DPR”-controlled Donetsk railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre) on 9 April, the SMM heard 17 undetermined explosions and small-arms fire, saw and heard nine impacts 3-10km north-west to east of its position.

Whilst in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), on the night of 9-10 April the SMM heard multiple impacts and outgoing rounds of artillery, mortars, automatic grenade launcher and 73mm and 30mm cannons, all 1-10km to the west and east-south-east of its position.

Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) on the night of 9-10 April, the SMM heard 20 undetermined explosions and small-arms fire, all at locations at undetermined distance and direction from its position.

On 10 April, while in the vicinity of government-controlled Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk), the SMM heard 19 undetermined explosions 4km south-east of its location.

Positioned in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM heard and saw on the evening of 9-10 April a protracted engagement using several different weapon systems in areas 3-5km south-east and south-west. The SMM heard approximately 50-70 explosions and estimated 700 to 900 shots of small-arms and machine-gun fire. Explosions were consistent with automatic grenade launcher, light and/or medium calibre mortar (up to 82mm calibre) or vehicle-mounted weapons (including 73mm cannon). Three explosions were significantly louder than the rest, possibly caused by 120mm calibre mortars. Red tracers could be observed arcing from west to east. This engagement was repeated with less intensity between 01:57 and 03:37hrs, with occasional lulls. At 05:12hrs the SMM heard several explosions accompanied by small-arms fire. At 07:50hrs the SMM heard one explosion 3-6km south of its location.

The SMM carried out crater analysis in a number of locations near the contact line. The SMM analysed two craters in the vicinity of the technical school in Krasnohorivka. According to a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer and local residents, the area was shelled around 23:00hrs on 9 April. The SMM observed the tailfin of a 120mm mortar shell stuck in the road. The SMM assessed that the mortar had been fired from the east and that the impact was relatively fresh. A second crater was seen in the floor of the school’s athletic hall, which also contained a 120mm mortar tailfin. The shell had penetrated the roof of the school. The direction of fire could not be determined. No casualties were reported. In government-controlled Chermalyk (31km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM analysed nine craters in a 400x100m area in the centre of the village. All impacts were assessed to have been caused by 82mm mortars fired from the east-south-east. The SMM found an 82mm mortar tailfin and observed shrapnel patterns on nearby walls and fences consistent with a mortar impact. Two houses had broken windows. All craters were in the yards and gardens of residential housing. Residents told the SMM that the shelling had taken place on 7 April at approximately 23:00hrs and said no one was injured. The SMM observed a partially destroyed house in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk) which, according to residents was struck by shells at 19:50hrs on 9 April. As the roof was in danger of collapse, further analysis was not possible. The SMM observed a fresh crater close to the checkpoint near “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (57km west of Luhansk) that the SMM assessed was caused by an automatic grenade launcher (AGS 17) round fired from the north-west.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of measures, the SMM revisited permanent storage sites whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines. The SMM found one Ukrainian Armed Forces site to be abandoned with all six towed artillery pieces (D-48, 85mm) and four mortars (2B9M Vasilek, 82mm) previously observed at the site, absent. The following weapons were missing from other Ukrainian Armed Forces site sites: 32 tanks (T-64) and one 82mm mortar. At one site the Ukrainian Armed Forces commander refused the SMM access on 9 April, where the SMM had previously observed 9 T-72 tanks.*

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines the SMM observed seven tanks (T-72) in “LPR”-controlled Luhansk city. The SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) observed one tank east of government-controlled Kirove (42km north-east of Donetsk) on 9 April and ten tanks near government-controlled Pravdivka (36km north-west of Donetsk) also on 9 April. The UAV also spotted one tank near “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata on 8 April.

Beyond the withdrawal lines but outside storage sites, the SMM observed: 30 tanks at a known training range in “LPR”-controlled Uspenka (23km south-west of Luhansk) on 9 April and – on 10 April at the same site - 50 tanks, 45 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) (BMPs), 110 trucks, three armoured engineering vehicles (IMR) and six command or communications trucks.

Beyond withdrawal lines and outside storage sites the SMM observed a Ukrainian Armed Forces T-72 tank on a trailer moving on the E50/M04 highway near government-controlled Halytsynivka (29km north-west of Donetsk). The SMM long-range UAV saw one tank near government-controlled Mykolaivka (37km north-west of Donetsk) on 8 April.

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 violation of the respective withdrawal lines the SMM saw one towed howitzer (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) at a Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage site on 9 April; one self-propelled air defence missile system (9K33 Osa, 210mm) and a second air defence vehicle (model unknown) near government-controlled Tonenke (20km north-west of Donetsk); one self-propelled air defence missile system (9K33 Osa, 210mm) near government-controlled Dmytrivka (42km north of Luhansk); 12 anti-tank guns (2A29/MT-12 Rapira, 100mm), six near Novozhelanne (33km north-east of Donetsk) and six near Zhelanne (34km north-west of Donetsk). The SMM long-range UAV saw six anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) near government-controlled Mykolaivka on 8 April.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines the SMM observed the following in “LPR”-controlled Luhansk city: seven multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS; BM-21 Grad, 122mm), ten towed howitzers (five D-30, 122mm and five 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) and seven self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm). Near “LPR”-controlled Heorhiivka (16km south of Luhansk) the SMM observed three MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm).   

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM mid-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted a towed howitzer (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) in the Kyivskyi district of Donetsk city on 7 April. The SMM observed what appeared to be three howitzers (D-20, 152mm) being towed by a convoy of nine trucks heading west near “DPR”-controlled Ternove (57km east of Donetsk).

Also in violation of the respective withdrawal lines, in government-controlled Pervomaiske (17km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed at least one anti-tank missile (9K111 Fagot, 120mm) mounted on one of four armoured vehicles (BDRM) stationary in the driveways of different houses occupied by Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel.

In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines but outside storage sites, the SMM observed four mortars (2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) near Mykolaivka.

Beyond the respective withdrawal lines the SMM observed three self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) at a known training range in “LPR”-controlled Uspenka on 9 April and six howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) near “LPR”-controlled Heorhiivka (16km south of Luhansk) on 9 April.

The SMM observed the presence of other hardware in the security zone: in “DPR”-controlled Shakhtarsk (50km east of Donetsk), a convoy of 29 IFV (18 BMP-1, 11 BMP-2), one armoured personnel carrier (BTR-70), and two armoured tracked vehicles (MT-LB) accompanied by a van and a truck marked “military traffic police” in Russian, moving west. The vehicles were camouflaged with tree branches and grass. The tracked vehicles also had improvised side skirting to offer protection from anti-armour weapons. Several vehicles displayed the number 55 and one had displayed a flag with “Oplot” written on it. An additional BMP-1 was seen nearby. The SMM also observed one BTR-80 stationary near a “DPR” checkpoint 11km west of Donetsk; one BMP camouflaged with tree branches in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk); one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) near “DPR”-controlled Lukove (41km north-east of Mariupol).

In government-controlled areas the SMM observed, an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) mounted on a military truck moving east near government-controlled Marinka (23km west of Donetsk); a stationary MT-LB equipped with an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) near government-controlled Vodiane (16km north-west of Donetsk).

The SMM monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and was denied access to one of them*. At the Uspenka border crossing point (72km south-east of Donetsk) on 9 April the SMM observed 68 civilian vehicles, 12 trucks and two buses queuing to cross into the Russian Federation. Over the course of 40 minutes, 12 vehicles (including ten with Ukrainian number plates and two with Russian plates) entered Ukraine. Over the same period, six vehicles with Ukrainian number plates entered the Russian Federation. Near the “LPR”-controlled Novoborovytsi pedestrian border crossing point (80km south of Luhansk) between 12:00 and 12:30hrs on 10 April the SMM observed no pedestrians crossing. “DPR” members near Ternove (57km east of Donetsk) denied the SMM passage towards the border crossing point at Marynivka (79km east of Donetsk city).

On 9 April, in government-controlled Soledar (77km north of Donetsk), the SMM met the new Ukrainian head of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). The SMM recalled that all signatories of the Addendum to the Minsk Package of Measures had agreed that the JCCC should co-operate in ensuring rapid response to impediments to monitoring and verification by the SMM and asked the Ukrainian and Russian heads what they had done to help ensure rapid response. Yet neither General was able to identify any specific response in relation to such violations of the Addendum.

The SMM observed approximately 100 people on Lenin square in Donetsk city listening to live music marking the second anniversary of the “proclamation of independence” of the “DPR”. A small number waved “DPR” flags.

The SMM observed a number of violent clashes in Odessa. On 10 April, the SMM monitored a commemoration organized by anti-Maidan activists to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Odessa in 1944. At the monument of the Unknown Sailor in Shevchenko Park the SMM observed 600-700 people gathered and watched by 100 police officers and 60 National Guard officers. Up to 15 pro-Maidan activists were also present. As the event came to a close, a brief scuffle broke out. Following this, approximately 40 anti-Maidan activists chanted slogans as they walked to Kulykove Pole. These activists chose to walk, rather than ride the buses provided by the police for their protection. A short time later they stopped and waited, whereupon several pro-Maidan self-defence activists – many wearing camouflage uniforms, some of whom were masked – arrived. As the number of self-defence activists reached 40-50, a fight broke out between many of those present. National Guard officers intervened to try and separate the sides, but struggled to bring the situation under control. Shortly afterwards, around 20-30 special police arrived on the scene and held back pro-Maidan activists allowing anti-Maidan activists to leave and proceed to Kulykove Pole. Later, at Kulykove Pole, a fight broke out between some of the approximately 50 pro-Maidan activists present and the police. After this, the anti-Maidan activists left the area. Many more pro-Maidan self-defence activists arrived at the scene, their number reaching approximately 150. The SMM observed members of Right Sector, Maidan self-defence, Odessa self-defence, Automaidan and the Azov Civil Corps. Around 150 police officers were present, including riot police, special police, national police and patrol police. The police moved off, and then self-defence activists removed the flowers that had been placed in front of the trade union building by the anti-Maidan activists. Following this, they too left the scene.

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 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. “LPR” members continue to prevent the SMM from monitoring many areas alongside the border in parts of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government, and consistently demand to review SMM patrol plans.

Denial of access:

• On 9 April a Ukrainian Armed Forces commander refused the SMM access to a permanent storage site.
• On 9 April two “DPR” members near Ternove (57km east of Donetsk) denied the SMM passage towards “DPR”-controlled Marynivka (79km east of Donetsk city) citing training in the area. A third “DPR” member at this location said the SMM could not proceed due to demining activities. The SMM attempted to use an alternate route, but was stopped in Snizhne (72km east of Donetsk) by “DPR” “military police” and was again denied further passage to Marynivka (located 4km from the border and approximately 35km from the contact line) due to “demining activities and the dangerous environment in the Marynivka area”.
• On both 9 and 10 April, armed “DPR” members stopped the SMM at a checkpoint near “DPR”-controlled Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk) and demanded to see national passports and vehicle registration documents. The SMM showed passports (without handing them over), which was deemed insufficient by the men who denied passage through the checkpoint. The SMM specifically raised the problems at this checkpoint with interlocutors at the JCCC on 8 April.
• On 10 April, at a checkpoint on the eastern edge of Yasynuvata, “DPR” “police” denied the SMM passage without a “DPR” escort. After one hour and ten minutes of waiting for the escort, the SMM left the area.
• On 10 April, armed “DPR” members denied the SMM access to Prymorske (39km north-east of Mariupol).
• On 10 April, armed “DPR” members denied the SMM access to a cemetery near Lukove (41km north-east of Mariupol) which residents said had been shelled. The SMM saw a “DPR” compound 200-300m from the cemetery and an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) mounted on an MTLB nearby.
• On 10 April, armed “DPR” members on the eastern edge of Kominternove denied the SMM access to the village.

Conditional access:

• On 9 April, “LPR” members stopped the SMM near Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk) and asked to see inside the vehicles. They looked inside the vehicles despite SMM protests. The SMM were allowed to proceed afterwards.
• On 10 April, “DPR” members at a checkpoint north-west of Kominternove told the SMM that they could not drive their vehicle into the village. The SMM entered the village on foot.

Other restrictions:

• On 9 April the SMM long-range UAV was subject to jamming over government-controlled Hranitne (47km north-east of Mariupol) and when flying from government-controlled Pionerske (13km east of Mariupol) to government-controlled Staromarivka (46km north-east of Mariupol).

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

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate”.