Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00 (Moscow time), 5 May 2015

This report is for media and the general public.

SUMMARY

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both BCPs. The overall cross-border traffic increased at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs).

DETAIL

OM’s staff composition

The OM is currently operating with 20 staff members, consisting of 19 permanent international observers (incl. the Chief Observer) and one first-responder who is performing duties of an administrative assistant. Five staff members are currently on leave.

Cross-border movements common to both BCPs

The profile of the people crossing the border remains unchanged and can be categorised as follows:

1. Families on foot or travelling by car, with a lot of luggage, often accompanied by elderly people;
2. Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
3. People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks, crossing on foot or in vehicles.

As compared to last week, the average number of entries/exits increased overall from 7,271 to 7,542 per day for both BCPs; the average net flow went from plus 490 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) to minus 350 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation). This is a return to the trend of more people returning to Ukraine through the two BCPs, which had been observed since the signing of the 12 February “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”.The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for just under 32 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border have number plates issued in the Luhansk region, including an increasing number of articulated trucks and the long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk and cities in the Russian Federation, predominantly in the Rostov region.

Common observations at the BCPs

The situation at both BCPs remained calm. The OM continued to observe that the Russian Federation border guard and customs service conducted checks and controls.

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the Observer Teams (OTs) also continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses do not state their route; instead they just have a sign in the window saying “Irregular”.

During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style dress crossing the border in both directions decreased from 373 to 319 at both BCPs. These people have been crossing individually or in groups and on foot or in vehicles. Approximately eighty eight percent of border crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP.

Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe Ukrainian vehicles including articulated trucks with “DPR/LPR” stickers on their license plates replacing the Ukrainian flag.

During the reporting week the OM continued to observe an increased number of trucks crossing the border in both directions. The OTs continued to observe dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation through the BCP Gukovo. The OTs observed intense trailer truck traffic at BCP Donetsk crossing the border in both directions. The OTs also observed tanker trucks crossing the border both ways. These crossings occurred at both BCPs. These trucks for the most part had the word “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in Russian.

Military movement

At the two BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from the usual vehicles of the Russian Federation Border Guard Service.

Observation at the Gukovo BCP

The traffic flow at the Gukovo BCP decreased compared to last week. A daily average of 2,398 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for just over ten percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow went from plus 381 to plus 14 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) on average per day.

During the week, the OM observed a total of 37 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 18 of whom left for Ukraine while 19 entered the Russian Federation.

As in previous weeks, the OM observed dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation though the intensity of the transportation has significantly decreased during the reporting week. As reported previously, the observers saw Russian Federation customs officers verifying that the trucks were empty while leaving the Russian Federation.

The OTs picked up on the sound of trains running down the train tracks located approximately 150 meters south west of the BCP on seven occasions during the reporting week; the OTs estimated that four trains were going to Ukraine; three were bound for the Russian Federation. Visual observation was not possible because the line of trees in between the train tracks and the BCP is in full blossom.

A sound of an aircraft was heard on two separate days. On April 28 at 13:35 the OT heard a sound of an aircraft moving in the direction of north-east. On April 30 between 12:27 and 16:05 the OT heard a sound of an aircraft moving in the east direction. The OT was not able to observe the aircraft in any of these cases.

On May 2 at 21:30 the OT heard a sound of a strong explosion coming from the east side. Later the same day the OT heard several rifle shots coming from the same direction. On May 3 at 22:30 the OT heard two single gun shots coming from direction east approximately 150 m from the BCP.

Observation at the Donetsk BCP

During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP increased compared to last week. The daily average of 5,143 entries and exits accounted for just over twenty one percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from plus 110 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) to minus 319 (i.e. more exiting from Russian Federation) on average per day. The OT observed 282 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups; 154 persons entered the Russian Federation while 128 left for Ukraine.

Three ambulances were observed at the BCP Donetsk during the reporting period. No injured or wounded persons were observed in this ambulance.