OSCE SMM Spot Report 29/2021: Armed formations denied the SMM passage across the contact line near Zolote, Stanytsia Luhanska and Molodizhne, Luhansk region

At 09:38 on 25 November, an SMM patrol consisting of two vehicles and seven people arrived from non-government-controlled areas at a checkpoint of the armed formations near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk), to travel to government-controlled areas. A member of the armed formations (wearing armbands with “JCCC” written on them) denied the Mission passage, citing “orders from his superiors”. At 09:43, the patrol left the area and proceeded to Zolote-5 (Mykhailivka) (non-government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk).

At 10:10, a second SMM patrol consisting of three people approached the checkpoint of the armed formations south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (15km north-east of Luhansk) to travel towards government-controlled areas on foot. A member of the armed formations denied the Mission passage, citing “orders from his superiors”.

At 11:15, a third SMM patrol consisting of two vehicles and seven people arrived at a checkpoint on road T-0504 about 1.5km south-west of Molodizhne (non-government-controlled, 63km north-west of Luhansk), to travel towards government-controlled areas. Two members of the armed formations denied the Mission passage, citing “orders from their superiors”. At 11:20, the patrol left the checkpoint.

To recall, on 23 November, the armed formations denied the SMM crossing from government-controlled- to non-government-controlled areas in three locations in Luhansk region and, on 24 November, denied the Mission passage in both directions at one location in Donetsk region (See SMM Spot Reports 27/2021 and 28/2021).

The Mission again notes that such denials not only restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, but also prevent the SMM’s logistical operations, which are essential for the effective functioning of the Mission.

The OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 specifies that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas is essential to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation, as well as other mandated tasks. The mandate also tasks the Mission to report on any restrictions of its freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate.