Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 24 November 2016
This report is for the general public and the media.
The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region, compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and faced restrictions of its freedom of movement in all three areas, as well as on eight other occasions.* The Mission monitored a border area currently not under government-control. The SMM facilitated and monitored repair work on both sides of the contact line. In Kyiv the Mission continued to monitor public gatherings around the National Bank of Ukraine and the Cabinet of Ministers.
The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations [1] in Donetsk region, including 460 explosions, compared with 359 explosions in the previous reporting period. Most of the violations were recorded in areas around Avdiivka, Yasynuvata and-Donetsk airport, and around Svitlodarsk and Debaltseve, where more than 350 and 120 explosions respectively were recorded.
While in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city centre on the evening and night of 23 November the SMM heard 66 undetermined explosions 7-9km north-north-west and 143 undetermined explosions 8-10km south-south-west. During the night the SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) recorded 22 undetermined explosions 4-6km south-east and east-south-east.
On 24 November, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard three explosions assessed as outgoing tank fire 1-3km west, nine explosions assessed as outgoing rounds from an unknown weapon 2-3km west, one explosion assessed as an impact 2km west-south-west, and 74 undetermined explosions 3-10km south-south-west, west, north-west, west-north-west and north. While in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) the SMM heard 41 explosions 2-6km south-east: 15 assessed as outgoing 120mm mortar rounds, two assessed as outgoing 82mm mortar rounds, one assessed as an outgoing round from an unknown weapon, six assessed as impacts of undetermined weapon and 17 as undetermined.
While in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (58km north-east of Donetsk) on the evening and night of 23 November the SMM heard 33 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 1.5-3km south-south-east and 70 explosions assessed as impacts of 122mm artillery rounds 4-5km south-south-east. During the next day the SMM heard eight explosions 1.5-3km south east assessed as outgoing fire from an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV; BMP-1) cannon (73mm).
Positioned near “DPR”-controlled Zaichenko (26km north-east of Mariupol) the SMM heard 70 undetermined explosions at an unknown distance south-west; one explosion assessed as an outgoing round from an unknown weapon and another three undetermined explosions all at unknown distances west-north-west.
Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM heard 25 undetermined explosions 9-12km north and north-north-west and 17 undetermined explosions 2-5km west-south-west.
In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including 100 explosions, compared with 59 in the previous reporting period. Positioned in “LPR”-controlled Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk) the SMM heard 17 explosions assessed as impacts and 18 explosions assessed as outgoing, all 5-10km north-west. Positioned in government-controlled Popasna (69km west of Luhansk) the SMM heard multiple undetermined explosions 4-8km south-east assessed as rounds of an IFV (BMP-1) cannon (73mm) and three undetermined explosions 2-5km west. While in government-controlled Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk) the SMM heard 19 explosions 4-6km south-west assessed as rounds of IFV (BMP-1) cannon (73mm) and under-barrel-grenade-launcher rounds. Positioned in “LPR”-controlled Sokilnyky (38km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM heard eight explosions 5-6km south-south-west assessed as outgoing 120mm mortar rounds. Positioned in government-controlled Zolote (60km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 3-4km east (outside the disengagement area), two undetermined explosions 10km south-west and five undetermined explosions 5-8km south-west. Positioned on the “LPR”-controlled side of Zolote the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 10km north-north-east.
The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the areas near Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), Zolote and Petrivske (41km south of Donetsk), as foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September 2016. The Mission’s access to most of these areas remained restricted. Contrary to the TCG’s decision, the SMM did not note any signs of the required disengagement or any demining activity in the three areas during the reporting period.
The SMM did not note any disengagement in the Stanytsia Luhanska area. The SMM crossed the Zolote-Pervomaisk route (closed to civilians) in the disengagement area from north to south and back. The SMM observed a probable IFV with exhaust plume in the disengagement area but could not recognize the exact type due to the distance. In Petrivske the SMM assessed the situation as calm.
The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, in accordance with the Package of Measures and its Addendum, as well as the Memorandum.
In violation of withdrawal lines the SMM observed one mortar (82mm) behind the barracks at a “DPR” checkpoint in Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk).
Beyond withdrawal lines but outside storage sites the SMM observed eight tanks (three T-64 and five T-72) in a training area near “LPR”-controlled Kruhlyk (31km south-west of Luhansk). An SMM mid-range unmanned aerial vehicle observed three self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) near government-controlled Voievodivka (79km north-west of Luhansk).
The SMM also observed other weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage does not comply with the criteria set in the 16 October 2015 notification. In government-controlled areas the SMM observed six multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS; 9A53 Uragan 220mm) and eight MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm), which were noted as present for the first time. The SMM noted as missing 12 MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) for the first time. The SMM noted that one site remained abandoned, with 12 towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) still missing (one since 25 August and 11 since 20 October14).
The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles in the security zone [2]. The SMM saw in government-controlled areas: one IFV (BMP-2) near government-controlled Popasna; two IFV (BMP-1) near Stanytsia Luhanska (one inside the disengagement area and one outside); two IFVs (BMP-1) near Novozvanivka (70km west of Luhansk). The SMM observed one probable IFV near the “LPR”-controlled part of Zolote (inside the disengagement area) (see above).
In “LPR”-controlled Katerynivka (8km west of Luhansk) the SMM observed 20 to 30 formations consisting of 12-15 armed men each, inside a factory compound.
The SMM continued to observe the result of shelling. In “LPR”-controlled Sokilnyky, the SMM observed two impact sites. The first impact was 1.2m in diameter and 60cm deep, located about 80m from an abandoned house. The SMM assessed it to have been caused by a 120mm mortar round fired from a north-westerly direction. The second impact was a small hole in the soil close to the asphalt, 20cm in diameter and 15cm deep, located 100m from the residential area, assessed as caused by an 82mm mortar round fired from a north-westerly direction. Both impacts were fresh and, according to armed “LPR” members, caused by shelling between 17:00 and 19:00 on 23 November.
The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. At 09:30, at the government checkpoint at the bridge in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska, the SMM observed about 150-200 people waiting to enter government-controlled areas and about 400-500 people waiting to proceed in the opposite direction. At 12:15 the SMM observed 100-150 waiting to proceed towards non-government-controlled areas. At 07:50, at the “LPR” checkpoint south of the bridge, the SMM observed about 1,200 people waiting to travel towards government-controlled areas and at 08:20 about 1,400 were waiting in that line. At 12:30 about 800 people were waiting to cross towards government-controlled areas and at 15:00 there were still 600 people in the line.
In “LPR”-controlled Luhansk city the SMM observed a convoy marked with “Ministry of Emergency Situations” consisting of 12 trucks, with Russian Federation licence plates, escorted by “police” vehicles, a liaison truck, a support truck and one ambulance (all with Ukrainian licence plates). The convoy was later observed in Izvaryne going towards the Border Crossing Point. In Donetsk city the SMM observed a convoy of 15 cargo trucks marked “Russian Federation Humanitarian Aid”. The SMM saw six trucks enter a compound on Bauman Street, five moving further south and four trucks arriving at a storage area on Proletarska Street. A guard denied the SMM access to the area.* From the gate the SMM observed some cardboard boxes inside the trucks.
Near government-controlled Artema (26km north of Luhansk) the SMM was planning to monitor repair works but according to representatives from the water supply company and representatives of Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), the works were postponed to the following day due to shooting. The SMM monitored adherence of ceasefire for repair works from a civilian power company on the electrical power line from “DPR”-controlled Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk) to “DPR”-controlled Vuhlehirsk (49km north-east of Donetsk) artificial lake. In “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM monitored repair works for a power supply company.
The SMM monitored a border area currently not under government control. The SMM monitored the Border Crossing Point currently not under government-control in Izvaryne (52km south-east of Luhansk). During its 75-minute observation the SMM observed 51 civilian cars in a parking lot waiting to exit Ukraine (12 with Russian Federation licence plates and the rest with Ukrainian licence plates) and 19 entering Ukraine (seven with Russian Federation licence plates, the rest with Ukrainian licence plates). The SMM observed 45 pedestrians, two exiting Ukraine and 43 entering Ukraine. Five buses with Ukrainian licence plates were exiting Ukraine and 19 trucks (five with Russian Federation licence plates, five with Belorusian licence plates and the rest with Ukrainian licence plates) were waiting to exit. The SMM also observed a convoy of 12 trucks (with Russian Federation licence plates) in the village when leaving the Border Crossing Point.
At 11:00 on 24 November in Kyiv the SMM monitored a public gathering of about 1,000 people in front of the National Bank of Ukraine. The SMM observed three red flags with “Bank rebellion” signs and about 100 blue-white flags of the Za Zhittia (For Life) political party. About 50 law enforcement officers were present, as well as a fire brigade truck and three ambulances. The gathering remained peaceful and people dispersed at 13:00.
In Kyiv the SMM also monitored a public gathering of around 2,000 people marching peacefully from European Square to the Cabinet of Ministers. Twenty police officers were guarding the entrance of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Odessa, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Chernivtsi.
*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate
The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance, 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:
- At Prince Ihor monument, 2km south of the “LPR” checkpoint at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk) the SMM was unable to take a road west due to a steel barrier in the middle of the road. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- While at the “LPR” checkpoint south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge the SMM observed a mine sign on a road leading towards the railway bridge and armed “LPR” members told the SMM that no demining activity had taken place. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- At an “LPR” checkpoint at the southern edge of the Zolote-Pervomaisk disengagement area, the SMM was unable to access areas away from paved roads in the disengagement area as armed “LPR” members did not guarantee the security of the SMM due to the possible presence of mines and UXO in those areas. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- A “DPR” member told the SMM that no demining activities had been performed in the Petrivske disengagement area. Due to the lack of security guarantees, the SMM did not travel west from Petrivske.
- A Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint commander east of government-controlled Popasna stopped the SMM from travelling towards government-controlled Katerynivka. He told the SMM that the road was mined and the Ukrainian Armed Forces have decided to keep this road blocked. The SMM did not proceed and informed the JCCC.
- At the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near Shchastia bridge (20km north of Luhansk), the SMM was told by the checkpoint commander that the bridge was still mined. The SMM did not proceed and informed the JCCC.
- The SMM observed four cargo trucks with Russian Federation flags and marked “Russian Federation Humanitarian Aid” entering a fenced compound on Proletarska Street in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city. A “DPR” member denied the SMM access to the site.
Conditional access:
-At a “DPR” checkpoint in Olenivka, armed men stopped the SMM and only allowed the SMM to proceed after they searched a trailer attached to the SMM vehicle.
[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.
[2] This hardware is not proscribed by the provisions of the Minsk agreements on the withdrawal of weapons.