Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00 (Moscow time), 4 March 2015
SUMMARY
KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKY, RUSSIAN FEDERATION The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both BCPs. The overall cross-border traffic increased at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The net flow considerably decreased confirming OM’s predicted return movement into Ukraine. The OM also observed an increase of the number of persons in military-style clothing crossing the border in both directions.
DETAIL
OM’s staff composition
The OM is currently operating with 23 staff members, consisting of 20 permanent international observers (including the Chief Observer) and three first-responders (one of which is an administrative assistant). Nine staff members are currently on leave.
Cross-border movements common to both BCPs
The profile of the people crossing the border remains unchanged and can be categorized as follows:
- Families on foot or by car with a lot of luggage often accompanied with elderly people;
- Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
- People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks, crossing by foot or by vehicle.
As compared to last week, the average number of entries/exits increased overall from 6,343 to 6,860 per day for both BCPs. More people exited the Russian Federation to Ukraine. The average net flow (i.e. the balance of entries and exits) jumped from an average of minus 184 per day for both BCPs to minus 292 confirming a clear reversal of the movement trends at the border. Over the reporting period, 2,044 people have returned to Ukraine through the two BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for more than 30 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border have number plates issued in the Luhansk region, including the long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk and cities in the Russian Federation, predominantly in the Rostov region.
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 service conducted checks and controls.
Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the OTs also observed “less regular” bus connections such as Alchevsk-Donetsk, Gerasimovka-Luhansk, Kirovsk-Moscow, Kashari-Luhansk and Stakhanov-Yalta.
During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style dress crossing the border in both directions increased from 546 to 681 at both BCPs. These people have been crossing individually or in groups and by foot or by vehicles. Approximately ninety percent of border crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. The OTs continued to observe a number of Cossacks, who were identified by their traditional hats, as well as by Cossack insignias. Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe Ukrainian cars with “DPR/LPR” stickers on their license plates replacing the Ukrainian flag.
During the reporting week, the OTs observed tanker trucks crossing the border both ways. These crossings occurred at both BCPs. These trucks for the most part had the word “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in Russian.
Military movement
At the two BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from the usual vehicles of the Russian Federation Border Guard Service.
Observation at the Gukovo BCP
The traffic flow at the Gukovo BCP increased compared to last week. A daily average of 1,944 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for approximately nine percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. Compared to last week less people exited the Russian Federation. The net flow went from minus 55 (i.e. more exits from Russian Federation) to minus 3 on average per day.
During the week, the OM observed a total of 78 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 26 of whom left for Ukraine while 52 entered the Russian Federation.
As in previous weeks, the OM observed dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation. As reported previously, the observers saw Russian Federation customs officers verifying that the trucks were empty while leaving the Russian Federation.
The OTs picked up on the sound of trains passing by the BCP on twenty occasions during the reporting week; the OTs estimated that ten trains were going to Ukraine; eight were bound for the Russian Federation. It was not possible to identify the direction of two trains.
During the reporting week, the OT heard the sound of two detonations on 26 February from the south south-east direction. The direction is consistent with the area of the shooting range on the Ukrainian side described in previous reports.
On 3 March at 10:45, two civilian men tried to cross the border using a path outside of the BCP. Both men were stopped. They underwent a complete check including luggage. One of them was allowed to cross while the other was sent back to Ukraine.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP increased compared to last week. The daily average of 4,915 entries and exits accounted for twenty two percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from minus 129 (i.e. more exiting from Russian Federation) to minus 289 on average per day which confirms the clear reverse flow in the cross-border movement mentioned in the previous two weeks since the 15 February ceasefire.
The OT observed 603 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups; 300 persons entered the Russian Federation while 303 left for Ukraine. In several occasions OTs observed groups of four to seven people crossing from Russian Federation to Ukraine. The largest groups crossing occurred on 26 February and 27 February with groups of respectively 13 people and 11 people dressed in military-style. In both instances, the groups crossed from the Russian Federation into Ukraine in a van.
During the reporting week the OTs observed on several occasions vehicles crossing full of boxes and bags. The customs checks are quick and mostly performed visually. On some occasions these vehicles were driven or accompanied by persons dressed in military-style clothing. In two instances the vehicles were not allowed to cross. On one of these two cases, a man dressed in military-style clothing wearing a kubanka hat approached the OT and asked for their assistance to cross. He explained that the cargo they are carrying is for children in Alchevsk and to prepare proper documents would take three weeks which is not acceptable for children in need.
Over the past week, the OTs observed eight ambulances at BCP Donetsk. In most cases OTs could not observe if there were wounded or sick people in the ambulance. In one instance, an OT observed an injured person who was wearing military-style clothing arriving from Ukraine. At the BCP he met with another man also dressed in military-style clothing and explained to him that his hand injury occurred while being under fire. OT observed the bandage on his hand but could not hear the entire conversation.
CONVOY
During the reporting week two Russian Humanitarian Convoys crossed at the Donetsk BCP.
On 27 February 2015 at 07:24hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy of 84 vehicles arrived at the Donetsk BCP without prior notice. The convoy consisted of 77 cargo trucks of which 21 were carrying fuel. The trucks were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services. Ukrainian officers were present on site. The same number of vehicles crossed back into the Russian Federation by 18:14hrs the same day.
On 04 March 2015 at 07:21hrs (Moscow time), another Russian convoy of 83 vehicles arrived at the BCP. The OM was aware of the convoy but did not know the exact time of arrival in advance. The convoy consisted of 76 cargo trucks of which 21 were carrying fuel. The trucks were checked by the Russian border guards and customs services. Ukrainian officers were present on site. The same number of vehicles crossed back into the Russian Federation by 17:18hrs the same day.