OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine opens forward patrol base in Shchastia

LUHANSK, 25 May 2016 – The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine opened a new forward patrol base (FPB) in the government-controlled town of Shchastia in Luhansk region today. The FPB will increase the Mission’s ability to monitor the security situation in both government- and non-government-controlled areas.

“The newly-established FPB is located less than 500 metres from the contact line. This will bring our monitors closer to the areas where most violations take place and will help them follow up on reports about incidents faster,” said Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug. “The SMM permanent presence should also encourage the sides to adhere to the ceasefire and the Minsk agreements more eagerly.”

The SMM informed the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) of the opening of a new FPB and secured support from both the Ukrainian and Russian Federation sides to the JCCC.

The FPB in Shchastia is the Mission’s ninth forward patrol base established in eastern Ukraine and the fourth in Luhansk region.

The SMM has previously opened five FPBs in Donetsk region: in government-controlled Volnovakha, Pokrovsk (formerly Krasnoarmiisk), Svitlodarsk, and non-government-controlled Horlivka and Debaltseve; and three in Luhansk region: in government-controlled Novoaidar and Stanytsia Luhanska and non-government-controlled Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov). Together with offices in Donetsk and Luhansk cities, and hubs in Mariupol, Kramatorsk and Sievierodonetsk, the addition of the new FPB brings the total number of locations where the SMM has permanent presence in the east to 14.

The Mission is looking to open more such bases on both sides of the contact line to enhance its monitoring and reporting.