Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 15 June 2016

This report is for media and the general public.

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region, the SMM observed more ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. In Stanytsia Luhanska, the Mission encouraged and actively worked with the sides to reduce tensions at the bridge.  The SMM noted long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on two occasions in government-controlled areas.* In Kyiv the SMM monitored several peaceful protests.

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region with about 150 explosions recorded during the day compared to the previous reporting period. 

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city centre, during the night hours of 14 June, the SMM heard nine undetermined explosions 5-10km north-west and north of its position. The following day, positioned at the “DPR”-controlled Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 8-10km west-south-west of its position.

Whilst in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard during the night hours of 14-15 June, 220 explosions of which the majority was assessed as caused by 82mm mortar round impacts 5km south-east of its position. In addition, the SMM heard at least 140 bursts of small arms and heavy-machine-gun fire all 3-5km south-east of its position.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard two explosions, which it assessed as caused by 82mm mortar round impacts 5km west-south-west of its position. In addition, the SMM heard five undetermined explosions 5-6km west-south-west of its position.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk city centre), the SMM heard 20 undetermined explosions at locations ranging from south-west to north-north-west 2-7km of its position.

Whilst in government-controlled Berezove (31km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard 60 undetermined explosions at an undetermined distance south-west of its position. In government-controlled Volnovakha (53km south of Donetsk), the SMM heard 50 undetermined explosions 3-5km south-east and south-south-east of its position.

In Luhansk region, the SMM observed more ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. Whilst in Novooleksandrivka (64km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard at least 240 rounds of heavy-machine-gun and small- arms-fire, approximately 100 explosions assessed as impacts of automatic grenade launchers and  28 explosions assessed as caused by mortar round impacts, all 100-250 metres south-west and west of its position.

Whilst in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion approximately 500m north-east of its position.

Whilst in “LPR”-controlled Kalynove (58km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 3-5km south of its position.

The SMM followed up on reports of shelling. In government-controlled Chermalyk (31km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM observed three fresh craters - one in front of a still burning house and two others about 5-10 metres away - and assessed them as caused by 120mm mortar rounds fired from a westerly direction. The SMM observed that the south-eastern wall of the house was still burning partially and the garden fence had been entirely destroyed by shrapnel. The SMM saw that four neighbouring houses had sustained minor damages. In government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM analysed seven fresh craters and assessed them as caused by 82mm mortar rounds (five fired from a north-easterly, two from a south-easterly direction).

The SMM followed up on reports of injuries to civilians caused by shelling in Chermalyk. Residents told the SMM that in one of the damaged houses, a family was still within the building during the shelling but had not been wounded. The SMM spoke to representatives of the village council, who said that a 13-year-old girl who had been in the damaged house, had been transported to Mariupol hospital for a medical examination. According to the interlocutors, the child was diagnosed as free from any internal bleeding.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures, beyond withdrawal lines but outside storage sites, the SMM observed in “LPR”-controlled areas: at a training range in Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk), 15 stationary tanks (T-64) and in Kruhlyk training area (31km south-west of Luhansk), ten stationary tanks (T-64, T-72).

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed in government-controlled areas two surface-to-air missile systems (9K35 Strela‑10) in Nyzhnie (56km north-west of Luhansk).

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles and other hardware in the security zone. In “DPR”-controlled areas, the SMM saw one armoured personnel carrier (APC; BTR-80) and two military-type trucks (URAL), one of them mounted with a heavy machine-gun near the Donetsk central railway station. In addition, an SMM mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted a jamming communication station, probably an R-330ZH Zhitel, within a military-type compound approximately 11km south of Donetsk city. In government-controlled areas the SMM observed two APCs (BTR) and one armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM) mounted with four anti-tank missiles in Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk), and two infantry fighting vehicles BMPs stationary in Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk).

The SMM discussed issues related to its freedom of movement with the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) at the JCCC headquarters in government-controlled Soledar (79km north of Donetsk). The representative of the Russian Federation Armed Forces at the JCCC told the SMM that if it would not provide routes and times of the flights of the SMM UAV the security of the UAV could not be guaranteed. The Ukrainian Armed Forces representative at the JCCC said he would not ask for this information. The SMM insisted on maintaining its operational independence.

The SMM observed a new Ukrainian Armed Forces position 300 metres north of the new “LPR” position at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, which had been observed on 12 June (see Daily Report 13 June 2016). The SMM facilitated dialogue between the sides, and encouraged and actively worked with them to reduce tensions resulting from these forward moves, including with the participation of the JCCC. 

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. Near “LPR”-controlled Obozne (18km north of Luhansk), electricity repair work had to be suspended due to an anti-tank mine which was detected in the area where a repair crew was conducting its work.

The SMM continued to monitor queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. At the government checkpoint north of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, the SMM observed 300 civilians waiting to enter government-controlled areas. The SMM assessed the waiting time as about 2.5 hours. About 20 civilians were waiting to walk towards non-government-controlled areas. At a “DPR” checkpoint in Olenivka (“DPR”-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed 357 civilian vehicles queuing to enter government-controlled areas and 65 civilian vehicles queuing to cross in the opposite direction. At a “DPR” checkpoint in Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, 29km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM observed 172 civilian vehicles queuing to enter government-controlled areas and 25 civilian vehicles queuing to cross in the opposite direction. At the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in Novotroitske (government-controlled, 36km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed 137 civilian vehicles and 60 pedestrians lined up to exit government-controlled areas and 16 civilian vehicles and 60 pedestrians lined up in the opposite direction.

The SMM observed a mine hazard sign and unexploded ordnance (UXO). The SMM noted a newly-erected mine hazard sign (a yellow wooden sign with the word “Mine” in black Cyrillic letters) marking an unexploded ordnance (UXO) in “LPR”-controlled Kalynove.

The SMM monitored several protests in Kyiv: in front of the Cabinet of Ministers building  - demanding increased financing of educational institutions and reduction of retirement age for scientists (1,200 participants); in front of the Presidential Administration building - against what was referred to as lack of social support to victims of the Chornobyl nuclear power station incident (200 participants); in front of the National Bank of Ukraine - against what protesters called corruption within the Ukrainian banking system (14 participants); and in front of the Parliament building – calling for more assistance to internally displaced persons (ten participants). Law enforcement officers were present at all the events, which passed off peacefully.

*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.

Conditional access:

• At a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in government-controlled Komyshuvakha (68km west of Luhansk), checkpoint personnel asked about the SMM’s destination and noted down the names of patrol members and vehicle plates. The SMM was then allowed to proceed further.
• At a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in government-controlled Popasna (70km west of Luhansk), checkpoint personnel asked about the SMM’s destination and noted down names of patrol members and vehicle plates. The SMM was then allowed to proceed further.

[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.