Statement on Tragic Incident in Luhansk by OSCE Special Monitoring Mission Chief Monitor Ertugrul Apakan

KYIV (24 April) -- The entire OSCE Special Monitoring Mission is filled with great sorrow at the loss of a team member while conducting a patrol near non-government controlled Pyshyb in the Luhansk region yesterday morning. One of our armoured vehicles experienced an explosion, likely a mine, resulting in the tragic death of a paramedic from the United States working with the OSCE SMM. Two more patrol members from Germany and the Czech Republic have been admitted to hospital for medical examination.

I am today travelling to the area to extend my support to the monitors and understand the situation better.

This international unarmed civilian monitoring mission is staffed with dedicated professionals who work hard to implement the mission’s mandate of contributing to normalisation and stabilisation in Ukraine. They risk their lives daily to complete this task.

I reiterate my call for sustainable cease-fire, withdrawal of weapons, full demining and real commitment to peace. And I ask that those responsible for placing mines are held accountable.

In spite of this tragedy, we remain committed to fulfilling our mandate and contributing to bring peace to the people of Ukraine. My thoughts and condolences are with the loved ones of the team member who lost his life and a speedy recovery to the injured.