Statement by OSCE Chief Monitor in Ukraine on situation in Kramatorsk

KYIV, 10 February 2015 - Today, in the early afternoon, the city of Kramatorsk in Donetsk region was struck by several shells which landed in heavily-populated residential neighbourhoods. Deaths and injuries have been reported. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) made all efforts to observe the impact of the shelling within the constraints of the rapidly deteriorating security situation.

Once again, innocent civilians are bearing the brunt of a violent conflict characterized by increasing the death-toll and indiscriminate shelling. That Kramatorsk was a relatively peaceful city until now gives us reason for concern that the violence is expanding to new areas.

I call upon all sides to exercise maximum restraint, and for an immediate ceasefire. Dialogue, and not the use of weapons, is the only path towards a durable peace.