Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 23 January 2017
In both Donetsk and Luhansk regions the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations between the evenings of 22 and 23 January compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission observed an impact site and damage to civilian houses from gunfire in Dovhe. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Video footage from the SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska revealed ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area on 21 and 22 January. The Mission continued to monitor weapons withdrawal and observed weapons in violation of their respective withdrawal lines. It observed reinforcement of positions on both sides of the contact line near Dolomitne and noted civilian concerns about the effects of fighting in the area. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs to infrastructure in Artema, Krasnyi Lyman and Popasna. It visited three border areas currently outside of government control. In various cities, the Mission monitored gatherings marking Ukrainian Unity Day.
The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region between the evenings of 22 and 23 January compared with the previous 24 hours (including about 425 explosions compared with 72), mostly in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area.
On the evening of 22 January the SMM camera in Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) recorded two projectiles in flight from north-east to south-west, 4-6km east-south-east of the camera, followed by an exchange consisting of eight projectiles in flight (six from north-north-east to south-south-west and two from south-west to north-east) and six illumination flares, all 3-6km east-south-east. On 23 January, the same camera recorded one undetermined explosion 2-4km east-south-east followed by an exchange consisting of 16 undetermined explosions and 21 projectiles of indirect fire in flight from west to east, all 2-4km east-south-east.
Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata for more than five hours on 23 January, the SMM heard 151 undetermined explosions 1-5km in directions ranging from west to north-north-west, along with intense heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire at the same distances and directions.
On the evening of 22 January, the SMM camera at the Oktiabr mine (9km north-west of Donetsk city centre) recorded an undetermined explosion 6-10km north-east, followed by an exchange consisting of three projectiles in flight from east-south-east to west-north-west, one airburst and 12 illumination flares, all 6-11km north-east. On 23 January, the same camera recorded one projectile of indirect fire in flight from west to east, 4-5km north-north-east, followed by an exchange consisting of 110 projectiles of indirect fire in flight (85 from west to east and 25 from east to west), 18 undetermined explosions and one airburst, all 4-5km north-north-east.
While in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk) on the evening of 22 January, the SMM heard 12 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 5-6km east, four bursts of small-arms fire 5-6km north-east, and 18 bursts and 25 single shots of small-arms fire 3-5km east and south-east.
Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk) on 23 January, the SMM heard 176 explosions assessed as 88 outgoing 152mm artillery rounds and their subsequent impacts, as well as 40 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, all 5-7km north-west and north. Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Vuhlehirsk (49km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM heard 21 undetermined explosions 4-5km north. Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Holmivskyi (49km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard one explosion assessed as the impact of a 122mm artillery round 4km east and two undetermined explosions 5-6km west.
Positioned in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard 15 undetermined explosions, 20 shots assessed as rounds of infantry fighting vehicle (IFV; BMP-2) cannon (30mm) and 20 bursts of anti-aircraft cannon (ZU-23, 23mm) fire, all 5-6km north-north-east.
On the evening of 22 January, the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded 26 tracer rounds in flight from east to west, at an unknown distance north, followed by an exchange consisting of five undetermined explosions and 14 tracer rounds in flight (12 from east to west and two from west to east), all at unknown distances north and north-north-east. On 23 January, the camera recorded two undetermined explosions followed by one tracer round in flight from west to east, all at undetermined distances north.
In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations between the evenings of 22 and 23 January compared with the previous 24 hours (including more than 50 explosions compared with five). On 23 January, positioned in “LPR”-controlled Veselohorivka (64km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 25 explosions assessed as rounds of artillery (12 impacts and 13 outgoing) 6-10km north-west. Positioned in Novooleksandrivka (65km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 15 shots of small-arms fire 500-800m west-north-west.
The SMM followed up a report of shelling and gunfire in “LPR”-controlled Dovhe (23km north-west of Luhansk), received from a Russian Federation Armed Forces officer of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). About 670m south of the village the SMM observed a fresh impact site on an asphalt road and metal debris including an object assessed as the tail of an anti-tank guided missile. About 250m further south, the Mission observed metal debris assessed to be that of a second anti-tank guided missile and two parallel wires about 2-3m apart, hanging in trees. The SMM assessed that two anti-tank wire-guided missiles had been fired from a north-north-easterly direction, with one missile striking the road and the other probably exploding in the air. In the village, the SMM observed a hole in a north-facing window of a house on Tsentralna Street, assessed as caused by small-arms fire from a northerly direction. On Myru Street, the SMM observed a hole in a north-west-facing garage door and a fresh hole in the trunk of a car inside the garage, assessed as caused by a 12.7mm round fired from a north-north-easterly direction. At two other houses on the street, the SMM observed an impact on a north-west-facing wall and a hole through a north-facing window in a bedroom, both assessed as caused by 12.7mm rounds fired from a north-westerly direction. On Sadova Street, the SMM observed a hole in a north-west-facing metal gate, assessed as caused by a 12.7mm round fired from a northerly direction.
The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas of Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), Zolote (60km west of Luhansk) and Petrivske (41km south of Donetsk), as foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September. The SMM’s access to all three areas remained restricted but the Mission was able to partially monitor them.* The SMM observed no de-mining activities or disengagement in the three areas.
On the evening of 21 January, the SMM camera in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska recorded one shot of small-arms fire, 250m south-south-east, assessed as outside the disengagement area, and one projectile in flight from north-east to south-west, which subsequently ricocheted about 1km south-south-west of the camera and exploded in the air about 150m further south-east (assessed as inside the disengagement area). On the morning of 22 January, the camera recorded eight shots of small-arms fire, about 1.7km south of the camera, assessed as inside the disengagement area. While in “LPR”-controlled Luhansk city on the evening of 22 January, the SMM heard 15 explosions assessed as artillery rounds 10-15km north-east but could not assess whether the violations occurred in the disengagement area.
On 23 January, the SMM noted a generally calm situation in the Zolote disengagement area, although while positioned in government-controlled Zolote-4 (60km west of Luhansk) the SMM heard 14 undetermined explosions 8-10km south, assessed as outside the disengagement area. The SMM noted a calm situation in “DPR”-controlled Petrivske.
The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, in implementation of the Package of Measures and its Addendum, as well as the Memorandum.
In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, in government-controlled areas the SMM observed two self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) near Aslanove (16km north of Mariupol) and two 120mm mortars guarded by eight Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in the backyard of a house in Novozvanivka (70km west of Luhansk).
Beyond withdrawal lines but outside of assigned areas the SMM observed two stationary air defence missile systems (9K33 Osa, 210mm) in government-controlled Selidove (41km north-west of Donetsk) and a probable tank stationary near “DPR”-controlled Svobodne (73km south of Donetsk).
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 non-government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed six self-propelled howitzers (2S1) and six multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS; BM-21 Grad, 122mm). The SMM noted that one MLRS (BM-21) was missing, as previously noted.
The SMM revisited permanent storage sites, whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines. At sites in areas controlled by the Government, the Mission observed that 31 tanks (T-64) were missing, seven of which were noted as missing for the first time.
The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles[2] in the security zone, as well as improvements to positions near the contact line. Near “DPR”-controlled Dolomitne (53km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM observed two stationary IFVs (BMP), as well as about ten armed men, freshly dug trenches, and a checkpoint. Nearby, on the road to government-controlled Novoluhanske (53km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM saw Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel at a checkpoint, as well as machinery digging trenches.
The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure, co-ordinated by the JCCC. Near government-controlled Artema (26km north of Luhansk), the SMM observed Vodokanal employees clearing bushes and trees along approximately 50m of electricity lines providing power to the Petrivka water pumping station. Near “LPR”-controlled Krasnyi Lyman (30km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM monitored ceasefire adherence while Vodokanal workers performed regular maintenance on a water well. Near government-controlled Popasna (69km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM observed Ukrainian Armed Forces officers of the JCCC, Ukrainian Railways employees and a military demining team assess railway tracks for planned demining activities.
The SMM asked the JCCC for an update on its co-ordination of mine clearance along several roads with a view to removing long-standing restrictions to the freedom of movement of SMM monitors and other civilians (See SMM Daily Report 19 January). Both Ukrainian Armed Forces and Russian Federation Armed Forces representatives of the JCCC expressed their intention to facilitate safe passage for the SMM on the Svitlodarsk-Debaltseve road on 24 January and the bridge in government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk) on 25 January. The representatives did not report any progress in mine clearance.
The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians living near the contact line. In the area between Dolomitne and Novoluhanske, where the SMM observed forward positions on both sides of the contact line (see above), employees of a pig farm expressed concern about the effects of fighting, including the potential environmental consequences if the facility’s waste pond were to be damaged. A female resident in Dolomitne (aged about 63) told the SMM that changes in control of the area had hindered provision of humanitarian assistance, and that residents had been unable to travel between Dolomitne and Novoluhanske since 1 January.
In Zolote-4, a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier who introduced himself as the officer-in-charge of a local unit said that Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel were living in an apartment building that also housed civilians. An SMM mini unmanned aerial vehicle spotted sandbags inside the building, behind a window.
The SMM monitored the situation of civilians crossing the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, observing about 1,200 people queuing at the “LPR” checkpoint south of the bridge to walk toward government-controlled areas and 200 people queuing in the opposite direction.
In “LPR”-controlled Donetskyi (49km west of Luhansk), the SMM observed a cargo train with 50 empty wagons travelling west.
The SMM visited three border areas currently not under the control of the Government. During 90 minutes at the border crossing point Dovzhanskyi (84km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw 28 private vehicles (17 with Ukrainian, eight with Russian Federation, two with Georgian and one with Lithuanian licence plates), one covered truck (Ukrainian licence plates) and one bus (Ukrainian licence plates) leaving Ukraine, and eight pedestrians, 30 private vehicles (13 with Ukrainian, 16 with Russian Federation, and one with Lithuanian licence plates), three covered trucks (with Ukrainian licence plates) and one bus (with Russian Federation licence plates) entering Ukraine. At two pedestrian border crossing points near Krasnodarskyi (58km south-east of Luhansk), during 30-minute and 15-minute visits respectively, the SMM noted low levels of traffic.
On 21 January the SMM monitored gatherings to mark Ukrainian Unity Day. About 150 people (60-70 per cent male, aged 20-60) gathered in Kyiv’s central square, protesting against what they said was Russian involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. The event took place without police presence and ended peacefully. The SMM monitored similar gatherings near the Russian Federation consulates in Odessa (about 80 people, with the presence of about 25 National Guards and 25 police officers) and Kharkiv (about 45 people, with the presence of about 300 police officers). The SMM monitored other peaceful Unity Day gatherings in Kyiv, Odessa, Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk.
The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Lviv and Dnipro.
*Restrictions of 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 (UXO), 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. They have also agreed that the JCCC should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance.
Denial of access:
- A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer of the JCCC told the SMM that no demining activities had taken place during the previous 24 hours in the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area and that with the exception of the main road, the SMM’s safety could not be guaranteed in the surrounding areas due to the possible presence of mines and/or UXO. Based on this information the SMM did not consider it safe to proceed. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- Armed “LPR” members told the SMM that no demining activities had taken place during the previous 24 hours in the Zolote disengagement area. Due to the danger of mines the SMM did not consider it safe to proceed and informed the JCCC.
- Due to the lack of security guarantees and the potential threat from mines, the SMM could not travel west from Petrivske. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel at a checkpoint prevented the SMM from traveling on the road between Popasna and government-controlled Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk). The SMM informed the JCCC.
- The SMM could not cross the bridge in Shchastia, as Ukrainian Armed Forces officers of the JCCC said there were still mines on the road south of the bridge. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel denied the SMM access to a compound near Aslanove. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- A Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier near a self-propelled howitzer (2S1), observed in the vicinity of Aslanove, asked the SMM to leave the area. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- In “DPR”-controlled Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove, 23km north-east of Mariupol), armed men said they could not guarantee the safety of the SMM on the road leading west due to mines on the road. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- At a checkpoint west of Pikuzy, Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel said they could not guarantee the safety of the SMM on the road leading east due to mines on the road. The SMM informed the JCCC.
[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.