OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine facilitates demining and repair work on critical infrastructure in Luhansk region

A local ceasefire facilitated by the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) allowed for demining and repair work on the water pipeline in Krasnyi Lyman in the Luhansk region on 14 January 2016.

The SMM sent mirror patrols to both sides of the contact line to facilitate the safety of the demining team and workers at the site. One patrol was stationed in Krasnyi Lyman, near "LPR"-controlled Slovianoserbsk, and another in nearby government-controlled Trokhizbenka.

Since the spring of 2015, the SMM has facilitated dialogue between all sides to help create safe conditions for repair works to critical infrastructure damaged by shelling in the conflict-affected east of Ukraine. With its continuous presence on both sides of the contact line, the SMM monitors respect for the ceasefire, thereby allowing for repairs to the gas, water and electricity infrastructure.

Also in Luhansk region, since December 2015 the SMM has been monitoring demining and repairs to electricity lines and water pipes at the Karbonit water supply station near Zolote. Work there is scheduled to continue until February.