Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00 (Moscow time), 17 December 2014
This report is for media and the general public.
SUMMARY
Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Russian Federation (RF). The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCP)s. Overall cross-border traffic flows increased at both BCPs. The OM continued to observe a significant number of persons in military-style clothing crossing the border in both directions.
DETAIL
OM’s arrival, establishment and observation work
The OM is currently operating with 18 staff members, consisting of 13 permanent international observers (incl. the Chief Observer), four temporary international observers and one administrative assistant. Four international observers 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:
- Families on foot or by car with a lot of luggage;
- Elderly people with few bags;
- Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
- People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks.
The average number of entries/exits increased from 6,271 to 6,663 per day for both BCPs during the reporting period. More people entered Ukraine than the RF. The average net flow (i.e. the balance of entries and exits) was minus 109 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for 35 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border had number plates issued in the Luhansk region, including the long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk and cities in the RF.
Common observations at the BCPs
The situation at both BCPs remained calm. The OM continued to observe that the RF 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 RF.
Though the weather conditions improved, the number of people crossing the border on foot and stopping to talk to the Observer Teams (OT) remained low.
During the reporting period, the OTs observed 683 men and women in military-style dress crossing the border in both directions, predominantly towards the RF. These people have been crossing individually or in groups. These border crossings occurred predominantly at the Donetsk BCP in both directions. The OTs continued to observe several Cossacks who were identified by their traditional fur hats, as well as by Cossack insignias. OTs also observed a number of ambulances crossing the border at the BCP Donetsk.
The OTs continued to observe an increased number of cars with “DPR/LPR” stickers on their licence plates, replacing the Ukrainian flag. In addition, the OTs observed the display of “DPR/LPR” flags on car dashboards.
Russian convoy
On 12 December 2014 at 07:50 (Moscow time), a Russian convoy consisting of 83 vehicles arrived at the Donetsk BCP (cf. Spot Report SEC.FR/817/14 of 15 December). All cargo trucks bore the inscription “Humanitarian help from the Russian Federation”. The vehicles were opened and inspected by the Russian border guards and customs officers. The OT observed that Ukrainian officers where present on the site during the inspection process. On the same day at 19:47, all vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation. This was the eighth Russian convoy to cross through the Donetsk BCP since the arrival of the OM at the Russian BCPs.
Military movement
At the two BCPs the OM did not observe much military movement, apart from vehicles of the RF border guard service.
Observation at the Gukovo BCP
The traffic flows at the Gukovo BCP increased compared to last week. A daily average of 2,244 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for approximately twelve percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. Compared to last week more people entered the RF than exited. The net flow went from minus 25 (i.e. exits from the RF) to plus 9 (i.e. entries to the RF) on average per day.
During the week, the OM observed a total of 54 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 22 of them left for Ukraine while 32 entered the RF.
The OM continued to observe high numbers of dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the RF. As reported previously, the observers saw RF customs officers verifying that the trucks were empty while leaving the RF.
The OT observed an armoured personnel carrier, identified as BTR-90, being installed at the BCP. The purpose of this is routine reinforcement of the BCP in anticipation of the holiday season.
The OTs also picked up on the sound of a train passing by the BCP four days in a row; the OTs were not able to observe the trains as trees blocked the view of the train tracks from the BCP. The trains passed during the evening time. In all four cases, the OTs were able to estimate the direction of the trains: three went in the direction of Ukraine and one went towards the RF. On one occasion the OT was able to recognise the noise of cargo wagons. One of the OTs spoke with the BCP’s focal point regarding the increase of train traffic. Local authorities informed that the trains are cargo trains, carrying coal.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period, the activity at the Donetsk BCP increased. The daily average of 4,419 entries and exits accounted for approximately 23 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from minus 62 (i.e. exits from the RF) to minus 118 (i.e. exits from the RF) on average per day.
The OT observed 629 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups, 328 persons entered the RF while 301 left for Ukraine.
On one occasion the OT heard some light weapons shootings approximately 3km north-west of the BCP. In total the OT counted 5 rounds being fired.
Rotation of the Ukrainian contingent stationed at the Donetsk BCP
On 15 December, the OT observed a column of vehicles entering the area where representatives of the Ukrainian border guard and customs services have been stationed since 15 August 2014. The column consisted of one police escort vehicle, one off-road vehicle, one passenger minivan, one small passenger bus and a Kamaz truck. The OT observed the Ukrainian representatives unload the truck and the minivan. The OT also observed Ukrainian personnel getting into the minivan. Within 2 hours of their arrival, all the vehicles had left the camp. The column did not cross the border at BCP Donetsk.
This is the second time Ukrainian officials are rotated at the Donetsk BCP. The first group arrived on 15 August with 58 Ukrainian officers. This group was rotated on 16 September with 26 Ukrainian officers. The OM could not confirm details of this staff rotation with the Donetsk border services. As it did the previous times, the OM assesses that the Ukrainian convoy travelled through a northern BCP under the control of the Ukrainian government and drove through the Russian Federation to the Donetsk BCP with a RF police escort.