Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 22 September 2015
Please note that this report is for media and the general public.
SUMMARY
Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic slightly decreased at both BCPs.
DETAIL
OM’s staff composition
The OM is currently operating with 18 permanent international staff members. One of the permanent observers is performing the duties of an Acting Chief Observer and one permanent observer is handling administrative duties. Six 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 travelling by car and busses, with a lot of luggage, often accompanied by elderly people;
- Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
- People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks, crossing on foot or in vehicles.
Compared to last week, the average number of entries/exits slightly decreased overall from 11,300 to 11,246 per day for both BCPs; the average net flow went from minus 140 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation) to minus 65 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation). The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for thirty-six per cent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border have number plates issued in Ukraine (Luhansk region), including a number of articulated trucks and long-distance coaches commuting between Ukraine (Luhansk region) and cities in the Russian Federation.
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 Ukraine (Luhansk region) and cities in the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the Observer Teams (OTs) continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the busses do not state their route; instead they just have a sign on the windshield saying “Irregular”. Among the irregular lines observed by the OTs the following destinations were noted: five busses bound for Kharkiv and one bus on the route Luhansk-Kiev.
During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style dress, crossing the border in both directions, increased from 142 to 176 at both BCPs. These people continued crossing the border individually or in groups and on foot or using different types of transport (in addition to vehicles, some used busses, but also bikes and motorbikes). Approximately 94% of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. The OTs continued to observe that from time to time persons in military-style dress have travelled across the border by bus, which makes it more difficult for the OTs to observe their movement across the border. The OTs also continued to observe physically fit young and middle-aged men in civilian clothing, with short haircuts, many of whom carry camouflage-coloured backpacks.
Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe vehicles with Ukrainian license plates, including articulated trucks, with “Donetsk People’s Republic / Lugansk People’s Republic” (“DPR/LPR”) stickers on their license plates replacing the Ukrainian flag.
During the reporting week, the OM continued to observe a high number of trucks, crossing the border in both directions, including intense cargo truck traffic at both BCPs and dumper trucks transporting coal from Ukraine (Luhansk region) to the Russian Federation through the Gukovo BCP. While the majority of the trucks are registered in Ukraine (Luhansk region), the OTs also observed trucks registered in the Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus that crossed the border. During the reporting week, the OTs have observed that the number of trucks registered in the Republic of Belarus has decreased from 52 to 42; these trucks were observed crossing the border only at Donetsk BCP. During the reporting week, the OT have recorded none such crossing at the Gukovo BCP. Separately, the OTs also observed tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The number of tanker trucks has slightly increased from 45 last week to 46 this week. The majority of these trucks 28 crossed at the Donetsk BCP, while the remaining 18 crossed at the Gukovo BCP. These trucks for the most part had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in the Russian language.
During the reporting period, people crossing the border in particular at the Donetsk BCP continued to approach the OTs on several occasions to share their experiences and observations from the Ukrainian side of the border. Border crossers shared with the OTs their impression that the situation in the Luhansk region is improving.
Military movement
At the two BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from the movement of Russian Federation Border Guard Service vehicles transporting BCP personnel and supplies.
Observation at the Gukovo BCP
The traffic flow at the Gukovo BCP has decreased compared to last week. A daily average of 3,615 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for just under 12% of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow went from plus 233 to minus 242 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation) on average per day.
During the reporting period, the OM observed a total of 15 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 7 of whom left for Ukraine while 8 entered the Russian Federation.
As in previous weeks, the OM observed dumper trucks transporting coal from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. As reported previously, the OTs saw Russian Federation Border Guard and Customs Service personnel checking that the trucks were empty while leaving the Russian Federation.
The OTs continued to pick up on the sound of trains running on the train tracks located approximately 150 meters south-west of the BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 22 occasions; the OTs estimated that 9 trains were going to the Russian Federation and 13 trains were bound for Ukraine. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees in between the train tracks and the BCP.
On September 17 one ambulance was observed arriving to the BCP from the Russian Federation. The ambulance picked up an elderly lady who felt unwell at the BCP. The ambulance returned to the Russian Federation without crossing the border.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP slightly increased compared to last week. The daily average of 7,631 entries and exits accounted for just over twenty-four percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from minus 373 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation) to minus 307 on average per day.
During the reporting week, the OT observed 161 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups; 94 persons entered the Russian Federation while 67 left for Ukraine.
On 16 September at 13:30hrs the OT observed a van registered in the Russian Federation which arrived at the BCP from the Russian Federation and crossed into Ukraine. There was an inscription on the windshield “Gruz 200” (“Cargo 200” which is a well-known Russian military code used for “military personnel killed in action”) in Russian. The OT could not ascertain whether there was a coffin or not on board as the rear door was not opened.
On two separate occasions during the reporting week, the OT observed two vans with an inscription on the windshield “Funeral Service” in Russian. Both vans crossed from Ukraine into the Russian Federation. The OT could not ascertain whether there was a coffin or not on board.
On the morning of September 21, the OT observed six ambulances arrive from Ukraine. The ambulances were in a convoy. The OT saw that there were children in two ambulances. After going through the regular procedures, the ambulances crossed into the Russian Federation. Later the same day between 17:00 and 20:30, the OT observed six ambulances cross from the Russian Federation into Ukraine. All ambulances were empty.
CONVOY
On 17 September 2015 at 06:56hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk BCP (see the OM Spot Report of 17 September). A total of 44 vehicles - 37 cargo trucks and 7 support vehicles - were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services; one service dog was present and was used to check some of the cargo trucks. Ukrainian officials were present on site, both when the convoy crossed into Ukraine and when it returned to the Russian Federation. All the vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 14:18hrs.