News and press releases

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous day. In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded over 40 explosions during the night of 20 June, while it did not record any ceasefire violations during daytime. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded ten explosions. The Mission conducted crater analysis and observed damage to residential houses caused by shelling in six locations on both sides of the contact line. It continued to observe significant movement of weapons in government-controlled areas of Luhansk region. The SMM observed long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on four occasions in non-government-controlled areas...

RIGA, 22 June 2016 – Media development and reform were in focus of an OSCE-organized study visit to Latvia that concluded today for six representatives of Turkmenistan’s print and broadcast media and the Mejlis (Parliament)...

BISHKEK, 22 June 2016 – The OSCE Centre in Bishkek supported a two-day Internet Governance Forum in Central Asia, the first of its kind, which concluded today in the Kyrgyz capital...

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 22 June 2016 – An OSCE-supported train-the-trainer regional course on document security for some 20 border guards from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan...

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic increased at both BCPs...

New approaches to unleashing and mobilizing the potential of female leadership and the role of men as partners in achieving gender equality were the focuses of the International Forum of Women Leaders “Equal Opportunities for a Better Future”, co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Minsk on 21 and 22 June 2016.

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations than on each of the previous two days. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations than on each of the previous two days. The Mission observed the construction of additional fortifications at the Ukrainian Armed Forces position at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and noted that the “LPR” continued to maintain its new position at the bridge just north of the river. It also observed significant movement of weapons in Luhansk region. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs in Vesela Hora and the recovery of a body in Zaitseve. The Mission observed long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line and monitored a public gathering in Odessa. The SMM did not encounter any specific restrictions to its freedom of movement.*...