Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine - based on information received from 18:00, 9 May until 18:00, 11 May (Kyiv time)

This update is provided for the media and the public.

The situation in Ukraine remained calm with the exceptions of Donetsk and Luhansk where the situation remained tense. Members of the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) were stopped at an illegal checkpoint in the vicinity of Luhansk and released 3 hours later.

The situation in Kharkiv was calm. Police presence in the streets was noted by the SMM. Traffic police had blocked the Sumska street and also closed the metro stations "University" and "Gosprom". The SMM observed around 200 people gathered at Liberty Square to state their support for the “referendum” held in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The protesters expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that the “referendum” was not held in the Kharkiv region.

In Luhansk the situation was tense. On 10 May SMM members were stopped at an illegal checkpoint on the side road between Starobilsk-Luhansk, about 23 kilometres northwest of Luhansk. The checkpoint is located about 3 kilometres north of the village of Shchastya. After 3 hours the SMM members were able to continue their patrol.

During 11 May, the SMM noticed in Luhansk a low police presence around voting booths established for the “referendum”. The SMM noticed unarmed civilians (wearing St. George ribbons) securing the voting booths.

In Donetsk region the situation remained volatile. Due to the security situation, the SMM restricted its operations.

The situation in Dnepropetrovsk remained calm. The SMM noted roadblocks in the northwest direction towards Kharkiv region (M26 and E105). The SMM located 2 roadblocks, one in the vicinity of Vil’ne village and another on the parallel side road near the same village. Both were manned by a mix of “Self-Defense” personnel and officers from traffic and local police.

The roadblock on the main road from Dnepropetrovsk to Kharkiv (M26) was manned by up to 10 police officers and 5 “Self-Defense” members. The M26 road was also patrolled by a mobile police unit. The other roadblock on the side road E105 was smaller in size, manned by 2 traffic police officers and 2 local police officers wearing flak jackets, armed with automatic assault weapons. The SMM observed that the “Bradske” roadblock continues to be manned by both traffic police and “Self-Defense” members. The SMM observed the “Chapli” roadblock, manned by 6 “Self-Defense” members and 2 unarmed police officers. At the “Igreny” junction roadblock, the SMM noted 7 traffic police officers.

The SMM noted a new roadblock at the junction of the E105 and M04. This roadblock has not been observed before by the SMM. There were 2 traffic police officers and two regular police officers. They were all armed. At 13:00, the SMM observed 6 military trucks escorted by a police car heading south on the E105. 

In Kherson the general situation remained calm.

In Odesa the situation was assessed as stable. The SMM monitored a rally organized by opponents of the Government. Approximately 200 people, mainly above 50 years of age, were present. Police presence was small. The SMM went to the memorial service for the victims of the 2 May incidents at Kulikove Polye, where about 400 people were gathering. The SMM observed a normal police presence. People could freely access the Trade Union building.

The western cities of Chernivtsi and Lviv were calm.

In Ivano-Frankivsk the situation remained calm. The SMM observed an increased police presence at the exit/entrance routes of the city in the direction of Lviv, Rohatyn, Kalush, Chernivtsi and Kolomyia. The police patrols, consisting of SWAT teams and regular traffic police armed with AK47s made regular car checks. No incidents were reported.

In Kyiv, and in particular on the Maidan, the situation remained calm. The SMM observed an increased police presence on the Maidan and some of the barricades had been extended to funnel people through single entrances manned by “Self-Defense” guards. A gathering held on the Maidan on 11 May by the “Right Sector” was noticed by the SMM. The audience was mostly attended by elderly people. No incidents were reported.