News and press releases

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed continued ceasefire violations at and around the Donetsk airport and at various locations along the contact line in the Luhansk region, and noted a number of indications of renewed violence in the Shyrokyne area. Four SMM vehicles were destroyed by fire in Donetsk. A demonstration took place in front of the SMM office in Luhansk.

DUSHANBE, 10 August 2015- The OSCE Office in Tajikistan started the third phase of its long-running Patrol, Programming and Leadership project. The project aims to improve the effectiveness of Tajik, Kyrgyz and Afghan border officials to detect and interdict illegal cross-border movements on their mutual borders. This stage of the project will see the introduction of border officials from Kyrgyzstan into the training courses, as well as handover to local Tajik and Afghan trainers...

A three-week advanced course on the use of detection dogs began on 10 August 2015 in Almaty. It aims to help enhance the capacity of Kazakhstan’s law enforcement bodies by improving their ability and knowledge in the effective use of dogs to ensure security and stability in the country...

At approximately 02:25hrs on 9 August, the SMM observed that four OSCE armoured vehicles parked outside the residence of SMM monitors in Donetsk city were on fire. At 02:33hrs, the SMM heard four loud bursts, most probably as a result of tires of the armoured vehicles exploding. By 03:22hrs, the firefighters managed to extinguish the fire. The SMM noted that three of its vehicles were completely destroyed, one vehicle heavily damaged and three other vehicles partially damaged by the heat from the fire. SMM monitors were not injured and no damage to other OSCE vehicles was observed...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The overall security situation at and around Donetsk airport was tense. In Luhansk region, the SMM did not observe ceasefire violations and conducted crater analysis in several locations. SMM facilitated ceasefires enabled the continuation of water pipelines repair in Donetsk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. There was a significant increase in ceasefire violations at and around Donetsk airport. An SMM-facilitated ceasefire enabled the continuation of work to repair water pipelines in Donetsk region. Some 300 people protested in front of the hotel of SMM monitors in Donetsk city...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations.* The SMM continued to facilitate local ceasefires in the Donetsk region enabling repair works for water pipelines...