Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 24 April 2016

This report is for media and the general public.

In Donetsk region, on 23 April the SMM observed a higher level of violence compared to the previous day, with nearly 500 explosions recorded. On 24 April, it recorded a significantly decreased number of ceasefire violations in comparison to the previous day, with less than 30 explosions recorded. In particular, a sharp decline of violence was noted in Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area, where the SMM did not record ceasefire violations save one explosion on 24 April. In Luhansk region, a single ceasefire violation was recorded from 23 to 24 April. The Mission conducted crater analysis on both sides of the contact line. It noted a number of weapons missing from permanent storage sites and holding areas. The SMM monitored four border areas not controlled by the Government; meanwhile its freedom of movement was restricted in two of these areas.

On 23 April, the SMM recorded a slightly increased number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous day, with nearly 500 explosions.[1] On 24 April, it recorded a significantly decreased number of ceasefire violations in comparison to the previous day, with less than 30 explosions. On 23 April, whilst in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM saw and heard 16 airbursts of anti-aircraft gun fire 3-5km south-west and west, and heard 271 undetermined explosions, three outgoing explosions, six single shots of small-arms fire, and at least seven continuous periods of both small-arms and heavy-machine-gun fire 2-7km north, east, south-east, south, south-west, west-south-west, and west of its position. The following day, while stationary in Yasynuvata, between 09:42 and 15:30hrs, the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 2-4km west of its position.

In the evening hours of 22 April, positioned in Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard 21 undetermined explosions at locations ranging from west to north at 7-15km of its position. The following day, from a position at “DPR”-controlled Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM, between 13:40 and 16:27hrs, heard 13 undetermined explosions, eight impacts of mortar rounds (82 and120mm) and at least 180 single shots of small-arms fire at locations ranging from west-south-west to north at 3-8km of its position. During the night of 23 April, positioned in Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard 15 undetermined explosions 5-7km to the west-north-west and an uncountable number of bursts and single shots of small-arms fire 5-7km to the north-west. The following day, while at the railway station, the SMM heard, between 9:40 and 11:35hrs, 15 undetermined explosions and one single shot of small-arms fire 3-8km, north and north-east of its position.

On the night of 22 April in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 11 outgoing rounds of mortar 3-4km north-west and south-west, as well as 35 outgoing rounds of artillery 3-8km south-west of its position.

On 23 April, whilst in “DPR”-controlled parts of Zaitseve (50km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard two impacts of 82mm mortar rounds, ten impacts of automatic grenade launcher, eight single shots and five bursts of small-arms fire, and ten rounds of heavy-machine-gun fire 2-3km north of its position. On the same day, in government-controlled Maiorsk (45km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard two explosions – one caused by the impact of an 82mm mortar round and another caused by an outgoing round of 82mm mortar – 1.5km to the south-west.

Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) on the evening of 23 April the SMM heard 35 undetermined explosions 8-11km south-south-west and two undetermined explosions 12km north-north-east of its position.

On the evening of 22 April, the SMM camera positioned south-west of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded 20 undetermined explosions to the north-west at an undetermined distance. On next day, whilst in “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka (24km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard six undetermined explosions, three single shots and three bursts of small-arms fire 3km south-south-west of its position.

In Luhansk region, one ceasefire violation was recorded on 23 and 24 April. On the night of 23 April, in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 3km south of its position.

The SMM conducted crater analysis on both sides of the contact line. On 22 April, in government-controlled Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk), the SMM analysed three fresh craters – one was in a house’s driveway and the two others in its backyard – and assessed them to have been caused by 82mm mortar rounds fired from the east. The SMM also observed an impact mark on a concrete surface 40cm from the eastern wall of an apartment building. A group of elderly women told the SMM that the impact had been caused on the night of 21 April and that a 36-year-old female resident had been injured as a result. On 23 April, at locations close to a checkpoint north of “LPR”-controlled Frunze (40km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM observed four relatively fresh craters and assessed that three of them had been caused by automatic grenade launcher (AGS-17) and one by a 120mm mortar round – all fired from a northerly direction. Armed men present told the SMM that shelling had occurred six days before.

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 24 tanks (T-64) and two mortars (2B9, 82mm) were missing (eight of the tanks and one of the mortars were noted as missing during previous visits).

The SMM revisited permanent storage sites in “DPR”-controlled areas whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines and observed that all weapons previously verified as withdrawn to the sites were present.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines the SMM observed seven tanks (T-72) in “LPR”-controlled Luhansk city on 23 and as many on 24 April.

Beyond the withdrawal lines but outside storage sites, the SMM saw 11 stationary tanks (T-64) near a training ground in “LPR”-controlled Myrne (41km south-west of Luhansk) on 24 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 an “LPR” heavy weapons permanent storage site and observed that two multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS; BM-21 Grad, 122mm) and five towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) were missing.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM saw seven MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm), seven self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), and ten towed howitzers (five 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm, and five D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) in Luhansk city on both 23 and 24 April.

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 the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed: 18 anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm); 13 towed howitzers (D-20, 152mm); 17 self-propelled howitzers (11 2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm; and six 2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm); three surface-to-air missile systems (two SA-8 Osa, 120mm; and one SA-13 Strela-10, 120mm). It also noted that the following weapons were absent from those areas: 11 towed howitzers (D-20, 152 mm); 18 self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) and seven anti-tank guns (one MT-12 Rapira, 100mm; and six D-48, 85mm).

In “DPR”-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed: nine MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm); two anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm); and two self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm). It noted that two MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm), three anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) and three self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) were absent.

The SMM observed the presence of an armoured combat vehicle and an anti-aircraft weapon in the security zone. On 23 April, the SMM observed an infantry fighting vehicle (BMP-1) and an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) mounted on a military-type truck stationary near an “LPR” checkpoint across the bridge south of government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk).

The SMM observed the marking of mined areas and the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). On 23 April, at the northern exit of “DPR”-controlled Nikishyne (58km north-east of Donetsk), close to the intersection with road E-50, the SMM observed a pile of objects which it assessed as UXO including a part of an unexploded anti-tank mine, parts of a projectile and the casing of a grenade. The following day, in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed for the first time two explosive remnants of war of MLRS rockets – one (which it assessed as unexploded) stuck in front of a house and another (which it assessed as exploded) stuck in the asphalt road. At both locations, the SMM noted cars going through and pedestrians. It also saw two improvised mine hazard signs (wooden boards with white letters) in the vicinity of train platforms. At the planned checkpoint on the road between government-controlled parts of Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk) and “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (57km west of Luhansk), the SMM observed four semi-buried anti-tank mines (TM-62M), one anti-personnel mine (MON-100) attached to a tree, and several ammunition containers. Across the road, it also noted five improvised mine hazard signs (hanging on a single strand of barbed wire and consisting of irregular pieces of wood with red-coloured stating “mines” in the Russian language). On the same day, in government-controlled Bolotene (21km east of Luhansk) located close to the contact line, the SMM observed at least five mine hazard signs (red and white colours) in the fields.

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. On 23 April, in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk) and Petrovskyi district of “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city (15km south-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM observed ongoing repair works on a gas pipeline. By the end of the day, workers were able to install 70m of gas pipe and excavate 35m of trench for the pipeline. Whilst in Marinka, the SMM heard, between 11:04 and 15:30hrs, 41 undetermined explosions, one impact of automatic grenade launcher, two single shots and 41 bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 0.5-1km east and north-north-west of its position. While stationary in Petrovskyi district, the SMM heard, between 11:03 and 16:21hrs, over 29 explosions (among others, 19 explosions of rocket-propelled grenade launcher), five bursts and 45 single shots of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 0.5-3km east, south, south-west, west, west-north-west and north-north-west of its position

The SMM continued to monitor long queues at entry-exit checkpoints near the contact line. On 23 April, at a checkpoint in government-controlled Novotroitske (36km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed more than approximately 200 civilian cars and approximately 300 pedestrians travelling by bus queuing to travel to the north. A Ukrainian Armed Forces commander at a checkpoint told the SMM that the long queues were mostly due to the forthcoming Orthodox Easter holidays, and people were afraid that they may not be able to go through the checkpoints closer to the holidays. In the morning hours of the same day, at a checkpoint in government-controlled Marinka, the SMM observed 390 civilian cars, six buses, and approximately 100 pedestrians heading west. During the morning hours of the following day, at the same checkpoint, the SMM observed 346 civilian cars queuing to cross into government-controlled areas.

The SMM monitored four border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation. The SMM encountered restrictions of its freedom of movement in two of these areas. The SMM visited border crossing points in Dolzhanskyi and Verkhnoharasymivka (94 and 57km south-east of Luhansk, respectively) on 23 April, as well as Chervonopartyzansk (65km south-east of Luhansk) and Uspenka (73km south-east of Donetsk) on 24 April. Among the visited border crossing points, the highest vehicular traffic was noted in Uspenka, where the SMM observed 85 trucks (75 with Ukrainian licence plates, four with the Russian Federation license plates, five with Belorussian and one with Georgian license plates) and 38 civilian cars (27 with Ukrainian licence plates, eight with the Russian Federation licence plates, one with “DPR”, one with Estonian and one with Lithuanian licence plates) waiting to cross into the Russian Federation. Over the course of 75 minutes, 48 civilian cars (29 with Ukrainian licence plates, 17 with Russian, one with Lithuanian and one with Bulgarian licence plates), eight cargo trucks (six with Ukrainian licence plates, one with Lithuanian, one with Iranian licence plates), three minivans (all  with Ukrainian licence plates) and 19 pedestrians crossed into Ukraine. At the border crossing points in Verkhnoharasymivka (57km south-east of Luhansk) on 23 April and Nyzhnia Harasymivka (59km south-east of Luhansk) on 24 April separately, “LPR” members asked the SMM to leave the area immediately.*

The SMM followed up on media reports about shutting down of gas supply in “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (57km west of Luhansk). On 23 April, the “mayor” of Pervomaisk and representatives of a gas company told the SMM that since 19:35hrs of 22 April, gas supply from government-controlled areas to Pervomaisk area had been shut down. On 24 April, a resident in Pervomaisk and a resident in “LPR”-controlled parts of Zolote, separately informed the SMM that gas was cut off in the areas.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation related to internally displaced persons (IDPs). On 19 April, the deputy head of the Kalanchak district (70km south-east of Kherson) social policy office told the SMM that out of 172 registered IDPs in the district, 79 had been deregistered for leaving the district since beginning of the conflict. She added that disbursement of social benefits to 42 of them had been suspended as they did not reside at their address of registration. According to her, none of them had contacted her office for the reinstatement of payments.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Odessa, 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:

• On 23 April, at a border crossing point in Verkhnoharasymivka, “LPR” members asked the SMM to leave the area immediately, citing orders from their “superiors”. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• On 24 April, in “LPR”-controlled Nyzhnia Harasymivka (59km south-east of Luhansk), three “LPR” members, arriving from the direction of “LPR”-controlled Izvaryne (52km south-east of Luhansk) in a white jeep (Niva) with Russian Federation licence plates, asked the SMM to leave the area. The SMM informed the JCCC.

Conditional access:

• On 23 April, after aforementioned denial of access in Verkhnoharasymivka, “LPR” members escorted the SMM back to “LPR”-controlled Krasnodon (43km south-east of Luhansk).
• On 24 April, after aforementioned denial of access in “LPR”-controlled Nyzhnia Harasymivka, armed “LPR” members insisted on escorting the SMM up to Izvaryne-Vlasivka junction (53km south-east of Luhansk).

 

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report.

* 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”.