Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 12 January 2016

Please note that 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 Border Crossing Points (BCP). The overall cross-border traffic increased at both BCPs.

DETAIL

OM’s staff composition

The OM is currently operating with 20 permanent international staff members (incl. the Chief Observer). The profile of the people crossing the border has not significantly changed and can be categorized as follows:

1. Adults with no luggage or empty cars;
2. Families (including elderly people and children) or groups on foot or by car with a lot of luggage;
3. People wearing military-style clothing or footwear, with or without backpacks.

Compared to last week, the average number of entries/exits increased overall from a total of 8,311 to 9,449 per day for both BCPs. The average net flow went from minus 1,554 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation) to plus 1,411 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation).  The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for circa 39 % of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border had number plates issued in Ukraine (Luhansk region), including a number of articulated trucks and long-distance coaches commuting between Ukraine (Luhansk region) and cities in the Russian Federation.

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 Services conducted checks and controls.

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (Luhansk region) and cities in the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the Observer Teams (OTs) continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the busses do not state their route; instead they just have a sign on the windshield saying “Irregular”. Among these bus connections observed by the OTs, the following destinations were noted: three busses on the route Luhansk-Anapa, three busses on the route Stakhanov-Kharkiv; and one bus on each of the following routes: Alchevsk-Luhansk, Kharkiv and Rovenki-Kyiv. On multiple occasions the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their busses once they enter the BCP to cross into Ukraine or leave the BCP into the Russian Federation.

During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style clothes, crossing the border in both directions, decreased from 187 to 171 at both BCPs. Approximately 69% of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. These people continued crossing the border individually or in groups and by foot. From time to time such persons travel in busses and private vehicles, making it more difficult for the OTs to observe their movement across the border.

Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe physically fit young and middle-aged men in civilian clothing, with short haircuts, many of whom carried camouflage-coloured backpacks.

The OTs continued to observe vehicles with Ukrainian license plates, including articulated trucks, with “LPR” or “Novorossiya” stickers, or, in rare cases, “DPR” stickers on their license plates masking the Ukrainian flag.

During the reporting period, the OM observed a very low number of trucks crossing the border in both directions, including cargo truck traffic at both BCPs, but no dumper trucks transporting coal from Ukraine (Luhansk region) to the Russian Federation through the Gukovo BCP. Also, due to the holiday period, only four trucks registered in the Republic of Belarus were observed crossing at the Donetsk BCP during the reporting week. Separately, the OTs also observed tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The number of tanker trucks decreased from 25 last week to 22 this week. Twenty of these trucks crossed at the Donetsk BCP and two trucks crossed at the Gukovo BCP. These trucks, for the most part, had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in Russian and Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane with butane.

Military movement

At the two BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from the movement of Russian Federation Border Guard Service vehicles transporting BCP personnel and supplies.

Observation at the Gukovo BCP

The traffic flow at the Gukovo BCP has increased compared to last week. A daily average of  2,998 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for over 12 % of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow went from minus 330 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation) to plus 571 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) on average per day.

During the reporting period, the OM observed a total of 52 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 17 of whom left for Ukraine, while 35 entered the Russian Federation.

The OTs continued to pick up on the sound of trains running on the train tracks located approximately 150 meters south-west of the BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 4 occasions. The OTs estimated that 2 trains were going to the Russian Federation and 2 trains were bound for Ukraine. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees in between the train tracks and the BCP.

Observation at the Donetsk BCP

During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP has increased compared to last week. A daily average of 6,451 entries and exits was recorded. This accounted for just under 27 % of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from minus 1,224 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation) to plus 840 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) on average per day.

During the reporting week, the OTs observed 119 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP, 75 persons entered the Russian Federation, while 44 left for Ukraine.

During the reporting period, the OT observed one ambulance arriving from the Russian Federation and parking behind the main building of the BCP. It remained at the BCP for 12 minutes and returned back to the Russian Federation. The OT could not ascertain whether there was any injured person on the board or not.  

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