Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 19 August 2016
This report is for media and the general public.
The SMM observed a decrease in the number of explosions (366) recorded in Donetsk region compared with the previous day (450). In Luhansk region the SMM recorded nearly eight times fewer explosions (89) compared to the previous day (700). The SMM carried out crater analysis and observed the results of shelling on both sides of the contact line, in Myrne Stanytsia Luhanska, Styla and Horlivka. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians travelling across the contact line at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure and the hand-over of a body. The Mission monitored four border areas not controlled by the Government and continued to observe a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM faced one freedom-of-movement restriction in an area not controlled by the Government.
The SMM noted a decrease in the number of ceasefire violations observed in Donetsk region compared with the previous day with 366 explosions recorded.[1]
The number of ceasefire violations was highest between the northern outskirts of “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city, government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) and “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk). While in Donetsk city centre on the night of 18 August, the SMM heard 115 undetermined explosions 8-10km north and north-west of its position, including 60 explosions within a five-minute period after midnight. In the morning of 19 August, positioned at the Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM heard 41 undetermined explosions, mainly 3-7km north-north-east and north-west of its position. Positioned at the Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk) railway station over the course of the day, the SMM heard 54 undetermined explosions, mainly 2-5km north-west and west-north-west of its position, and two explosions assessed as impacts of automatic-grenade-launcher rounds 2-3km north-west of its position; one explosion assessed as an outgoing 82mm mortar round 2km west-south-west of its position; and two episodes (lasting two and eight minutes) of intense small-arms and heavy-machine-gun fire 2-4km west-north-west and 3-5km west of its position.
Positioned in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM saw and heard eight explosions assessed as airbursts from 82mm mortar rounds 0.8-1km east of its position.
Whilst in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 102 undetermined explosions and over 200 bursts and single shots of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 2-5km east and south-east of its position during the night of 18 August and the morning of 19 August.
Positioned in government-controlled Kostiantynivka (60km north of Donetsk) on the night of 18 August, the SMM heard 28 explosions: 23 of them assessed as impacts of 152mm artillery rounds and five as impacts of 120mm mortar rounds, all 15-20km east-north-east of its position.
On the night of 18 August, the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded an exchange of fire beginning with 67 and then another 24 single shots of tracer fire from north-east of Shyrokyne to south-east of “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka (24km north-east of Mariupol). The exchange continued with 24 and then six single shots of tracer fire from south-east of Sakhanka to north-east of Shyrokyne and three single shots of tracer fire from west to east. Approximately 45 minutes later, the camera recorded one explosion assessed as an impact in the area of government-controlled Vodiane (19km north-east of Mariupol).
In Luhansk region the SMM noted a significant decrease in the number of observed ceasefire violations compared with the previous day, with 89 explosions recorded. Positioned in government-controlled Lobacheve (17km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 62 explosions assessed as outgoing rounds from unknown weapons 0.3-1km north and north-east of its position and observed black smoke rising from “LPR”-controlled Zhovte (17km north-west of Luhansk). Just over 20 minutes later, while positioned in Zhovte, the SMM heard one explosion assessed as an outgoing round from an unknown weapon 3-4km north-west.
Positioned in “LPR”-controlled Slovianoserbsk (28km north-west of Luhansk) on the morning of 19 August, the SMM heard 20 undetermined explosions more than 10km south of its position, assessed as part of a live-fire exercise outside of the security zone.
The SMM observed the results of shelling and analysed craters on both sides of the contact line. In government-controlled Myrne (40km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM observed eight fresh craters in a residential area on 18 August and assessed them as caused by 122mm artillery rounds fired from an easterly direction. One house and a garage were completely destroyed and the SMM observed minor shrapnel damage to the walls and windows of another home. The owner of the destroyed house (an elderly woman) now sleeps in a summer kitchen in her garden. The SMM observed four additional craters inside a military compound located 600-700 metres from residential buildings. The four craters were also assessed as caused by 122mm artillery rounds fired from an easterly direction. A group of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers told the SMM that the village had been shelled on 18 August between 03:27 and 04:25.
The SMM observed two fresh craters at the southernmost Ukrainian Armed Forces position at the bridge south of government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk). The first was assessed as caused by an automatic-grenade-launcher (AGS) or rocket-propelled-grenade round, and the second was assessed as caused by a recoilless-gun (SPG-9) round, both fired from a southerly direction. The SMM observed fresh shrapnel damage to a mine hazard sign next to the impact site. The SMM also observed 11 fresh craters between the Ukrainian Armed Forces position and the bridge. It assessed nine of the craters as caused by 82mm mortar rounds and two as caused by rocket-propelled-grenade (RPG-7) rounds, all fired from a southerly direction.
In “DPR”-controlled Styla (34km south of Donetsk), the SMM observed four fresh craters. The SMM observed multiple-launch-rocket-system (MLRS; BM-21 Grad, 122mm) projectiles stuck in three of the craters which were located in a field, and assessed that the fire had originated from a south-westerly direction. The fourth crater was located in an orchard, 25 metres south of a house. The SMM assessed that the crater was caused by a 122mm or larger artillery round fired from a south-westerly direction. There was minor shrapnel damage to the house and three broken windows. An armed man and a “DPR” member and five residents, separately, told the SMM the shelling took place around 00:50 on 19 August. A Russian Federation Armed Forces officer from the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), one armed man and four “DPR”-members were present at the site.
In Mykytivskyi district of “DPR”-controlled Horlivka, the SMM observed six impact sites. The SMM analysed five fresh craters and assessed them as caused by 120mm mortars fired from a northerly direction. At a sixth site the round had completely destroyed one part of the roof. The SMM also observed shrapnel damage to trees and a metal fence of the house. Two groups of residents (ten in total) told the SMM that the area had been shelled on 18 August at approximately 01:30. Civilians also told the SMM that on the night of the shelling they had heard explosions and seen muzzle flashes near a wooded area north of a residential area. Upon approaching the location the SMM was advised by a Russian Federation Armed Forces officer from the JCCC not to approach any further. The SMM stopped but observed vehicular entrenchments and pits it assessed as firing positions for infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and towed howitzers.
The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, in implementation of the Package of Measures and its Addendum, as well as the Minsk Memorandum.
Beyond withdrawal lines but outside assigned areas, the SMM observed a mortar (120mm) being transported south in a military truck (Ural) near government-controlled Novoaidar (49km north of Luhansk).
The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage does not comply with the criteria set out in the 16 October 2015 notification. In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed that ten MLRS (BM-27 Uragan, 220mm) and six towed howitzers (2A36 Giatsint-b, 152mm) were present. The howitzers were noted as present at one of the areas for the first time (the SMM had noted that they were missing at another area). The SMM found that 26 towed howitzers (18 2A36 Giatsint-b, 152mm and 8 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) were missing. Two of the areas have been abandoned since 29 July 2016.
The SMM revisited a “DPR” permanent storage site, whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines. The SMM noted that all weapons previously recorded were present.
The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles (ACVs) and boxes of ammunition in the security zone. On 17 August, in government-controlled areas, an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) recorded two infantry fighting vehicles (IFV; BMP-3 and BTR-4) and one armoured personnel carrier (BRDM-2) near Lobacheve and on 18 August observed five IFVs (BMP) south of government-controlled Krymske (42km north-west of Luhansk). Aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence of ten ACVs in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk) and two ACVs near government-controlled Novotroitske (36km south-west of Donetsk) on 18 August. In a government-controlled part of Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM observed an ACV (Kraz cougar) mounted with a heavy-machine gun, also on 18 August. At the northernmost “LPR” position at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, the SMM observed at least 40 closed ammunition boxes marked with 12.7 and 7.46. Near the central railway station in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city, the SMM observed two military-type trucks, one with two trailers, loaded with dark green wooden boxes.
At the Zolote-Pervomaisk crossing route, the SMM observed military personnel digging trenches next to the government entry-exit checkpoint with an excavator. A Ukrainian Armed Forces commander told the SMM that his positions in the area had been attacked almost every night over the past two weeks and they were building bunkers. The SMM noted an increased number of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers around the checkpoint. In a government-controlled part of Zolote, the SMM noted that Ukrainian Armed Forces positions were located 400 metres from a school which was preparing for the start of the school year.
The SMM monitored four border areas not controlled by the Government. At the “LPR”-controlled pedestrian border crossing point near Krasnodarskyi (58km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed approximately 15 pedestrians queuing to exit Ukraine and watched as six people crossed into Ukraine in 40 minutes. At the Krasnodarskyi 2 pedestrian border crossing point, the SMM observed as eight people entered Ukraine in approximately 30 minutes. While present at the “DPR”-controlled border crossing point in Novoazovsk (40km east of Mariupol) for ten minutes, the SMM observed no cars queuing and two cars exiting Ukraine. While at the border crossing point in “DPR”-controlled Uspenka (73km south-east of Donetsk) for one hour and 15 minutes, the SMM observed 52 cars (mainly with Ukrainian licence plates and fewer with Russian ones) and one bus (Ukrainian licence plates) waiting to leave Ukraine.
The SMM monitored the situation of civilians travelling across the contact line at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. On the morning of 19 August, on the road leading to the first Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint south of Stanytsia Luhanska the SMM observed the body of an elderly man lying on the ground. A representative from the State Emergency Service told the SMM that the man had collapsed shortly before 08:00. The SMM observed as the body was taken away in an ambulance and later spoke with the director of the Stanytsia Luhanska morgue, who stated that the man had died from a heart attack. At 07:25 the SMM observed that approximately 500 people were waiting to walk towards government-controlled areas and 200 people were waiting to travel in the opposite direction at the “LPR” checkpoint immediately south of the bridge. The SMM noted that the condition of the wood on the wooden part of the bridge was deteriorating and that nails and struts along the bridge had become loose.
The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure and the hand-over of a body at Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk) bridge. The SMM observed as a car with a flag with the words “Ukrainian Federation of the Veterans of Afghanistan” passed the “LPR” checkpoint south of Shchastia bridge and travelled towards government-controlled areas. The car returned just over 15 minutes later. The SMM observed a body bag in the car. A Russian Federation Armed Forces officer at the JCCC and a “LPR” member were present at the checkpoint. The SMM also monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair work to water pipelines in a government-controlled part of Zolote and in “LPR”-controlled Slovianoserbsk, as well as to the Shchastia power plant.
The SMM continued to insist on responsibility for violations related to impediments to SMM monitoring and verification. The Russian Federation Armed Forces representative to the JCCC told the SMM that “LPR” had been taking some disciplinary measures regarding restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement. He did not provide the SMM with specific details as to what measures had been taken in relation to whom and which incident(s).
The SMM continued to monitor the situation along the administrative boundary line between the mainland and Crimea. At the Kalanchak, Chaplynka and Chonhar crossing points (95, 90 and 167km south-east of Kherson), as well as in the cities of Skadovsk and Lazurne (both 62km south of Kherson), the SMM observed a calm situation. The SMM observed a pair of military binoculars on an engineering tripod at a checkpoint on the Crimean peninsula. On 18 August, the SMM observed 12 military trucks mounted with MLRS (BM-27 Uragan, 220mm) traveling west near Askaniia-Nova (98km east of Kherson) and on 19 August the SMM observed an APC (BTR-80) between Novyi Trud and Vesnianka (162 and 155km east of Kherson).
*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 to 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 to the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.
Denial of access:
- Armed men stopped the SMM at the eastern outskirts of “DPR”-controlled Sosnivske (35km north-east of Mariupol) and did not allow the patrol to proceed into the village, which another “DPR” member later explained as due to the presence of a military-type compound in the village. The SMM informed the JCCC and returned to Mariupol.
[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.