Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 19 January 2016
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 (BCP). The overall cross-border traffic decreased at both BCPs.
DETAIL
OM’s staff composition
The OM is currently operating with 20 permanent international staff members (incl. the Chief Observer).
The profile of the people crossing the border has not significantly changed and can be categorized as follows:
- Adults with no luggage or empty cars;
- Families (including elderly people and children) or groups on foot or by car with a lot of luggage;
- People wearing military-style clothing or footwear, with or without backpacks.
Compared to last week, the average number of entries/exits decreased overall from 9,449 to 9,217 per day for both BCPs; the average net flow went from plus 1,411 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) to 266 (i.e. more entries to 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 just over 40% 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 Services 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 these bus connections observed by the OTs the following destinations were noted: two busses bound for Kharkiv, two busses on the route Stakhanov-Kharkiv, one bus to Kyiv, one bus on the route to Luhansk-Kharkiv, and one bus on the route Stakhanov-Luhansk. On multiple occasions the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their busses once they enter the BCP to cross into Ukraine or leave the BCP into the Russian Federation.
During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style clothes, crossing the border in both directions, decreased from 171 to 114 at both BCPs. Approximately 85% of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. These people continued crossing the border individually or in groups and by foot or, in addition to private vehicles, from time to time travelling on busses, making it more difficult for the OTs to observe their movement across the border.
Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe physically fit young and middle-aged men in civilian clothing, with short haircuts, many of whom carried camouflage-coloured backpacks.
The OTs continued to observe vehicles with Ukrainian license plates, including articulated trucks, with “LPR” (“Lugansk People’s Republic”) or “Novorossiya” stickers, in rare cases “DPR” (“Donetsk People’s Republic“) stickers on their license plates masking the Ukrainian flag.
During the reporting period, the OM continued to observe trucks, crossing the border in both directions and at both BCPs. The OTs observed trucks predominantly registered in the Luhansk region, however, the OTs frequently saw trucks registered in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions as well. In addition, trucks registered in the Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus crossed the border too. During the reporting week the number of trucks registered in the Republic of Belarus significantly increased from 4 to 25; these trucks were observed crossing the border only at the Donetsk BCP. Separately, the OTs also observed tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The number of tanker trucks increased from 22 last week to 46 this week. Forty-two of these trucks crossed at the Donetsk BCP and four trucks crossed at the Gukovo BCP. These trucks, for the most part, had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in Russian and Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks have hazard signs, indicating that they are transporting propane or a mix of propane with butane.
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 2, 784 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for over 12% of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow went from plus 571 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) to 138 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) on average per day.
During the reporting period, the OM observed a total of 17 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 11 of whom left for Ukraine, while 6 entered 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 7 occasions; the OTs estimated that 2 trains were going to the Russian Federation and 5 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 17 January at 15:15hrs the OT observed a funeral service van cross the border from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. The van was registered in Ukraine and had two persons in civilian clothing on board. The van bore inscription “Funeral service Fenix” in Russian language. However, the OT could not ascertain whether there was a coffin on board or not.
On January 12 at 20:35hrs the OT heard two series of two gunshots. Due to weather conditions, it was difficult to estimate the direction from which the gunshots came.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP has decreased compared to last week. A daily average of 6,433 entries and exits was recorded. This accounted for just over 28% of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from plus 840 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) to 128 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) on average per day.
During the reporting week, the OTs observed 97 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP, 56 persons entered the Russian Federation, while 41 left for Ukraine.
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