News and press releases

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.*...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed more ceasefire violations on 18 June compared to the previous day, but fewer on 19 June compared to each 17 and 18 June. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations on each day compared to 17 June. The Mission assessed damage to houses in Kominternove, Sakhanka and Trudivskyi district of Donetsk city, and continued to monitor the build-up of armed positions at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. The SMM monitored the withdrawal of weapons and the presence of unexploded ordnance. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs in Vesela Hora, Holubivske and Berezivske. The SMM visited three border areas not controlled by the Government*. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on two occasions, in areas not controlled by the Government, and once by Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel.*

ASTANA, 20 June 2016 – An OSCE-supported training seminar for some 30 prosecutors and defence lawyers from different regions of Kazakhstan on plea bargaining and the role of procedural prosecutors in criminal procedure began today in Astana...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed more ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more explosions but less small-arms fire compared to the previous day. The Mission observed damage to houses in Dokuchaievsk and Novooleskandrivka, and continued to monitor the build-up of armed positions at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. The SMM monitored the withdrawal of weapons and the presence of unexploded ordnance. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire in Vesela Horivka and Shchastia and visited two border areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM observed demonstrations in Odessa and Ivano-Frankivsk. An SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle crashed near government-controlled Stepanivka. The Mission’s freedom of movement was denied on two occasions, in areas not controlled by the Government...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations during the night of 15 June, as compared to the previous night, while it recorded more ceasefire violations during the daytime of 16 June compared to the previous day. In particular, it noted a sharp increase in the number of ceasefire violations in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area, with more than 300 explosions. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded a single case of ceasefire violations in Veselohorivka. The Mission conducted crater analysis and observed damage to residential houses caused by shelling, in Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, and Holmivskyi. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on one occasion in a government-controlled area. In Chernivtsi and Kyiv the SMM monitored peaceful protests...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region, the SMM observed more ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. In Stanytsia Luhanska, the Mission encouraged and actively worked with the sides to reduce tensions at the bridge. The SMM noted long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on two occasions in government-controlled areas.* In Kyiv the SMM monitored several peaceful protests...

KYIV, 16 June 2016 – Expressing solidarity with Ukraine in meetings today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Foreign Miniter Pavlo Klimkin, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) urged the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements to end the conflict in the Donbas region and reiterated the Parliamentary Assembly’s readiness to do its part to de-escalate and resolve the crisis...