News and press releases

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous day. Several explosions occurred in the vicinity of the SMM near Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons; it also noted armoured combat vehicles, an anti-aircraft gun and an unmanned aerial vehicle in the security zone. The SMM continued to monitor the humanitarian situation and observed a demonstration against discussions surrounding an armed OSCE presence in Donetsk. It also monitored a series of demonstrations in Dnipro, Odessa and Kyiv. Armed “DPR” members kept the power supply to SMM’s repeater in Donetsk city disconnected and the SMM faced one additional restriction on its freedom of movement, in an area not controlled by the Government...

VIENNA, 10 June 2016- On the basis of the holiday ceasefire agreement of 29 April 2016, the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) and representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine have today conducted a video-conference, in order to discuss recent ceasefire violations along the line of contact...

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous day and some ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with none the previous day. Whilst at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, incoming fire impacted about 100 metres from SMM’s position. The SMM observed craters and damage caused by shelling in Donetsk city and other areas. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and noted heavy weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines; it also noted armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone. Armed “DPR” members continued to keep the power supply to SMM’s repeater in Donetsk city disconnected; and the SMM faced four additional restrictions of its freedom of movement, mainly in areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission observed in Lviv civic activists demanding the dismissal of the mayor...

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the Supreme Court of Ukraine organized on 10 June 2016 in Kyiv a joint roundtable discussion on protection of property in times of conflict, bringing together over 60 representatives of Ukrainian legislative and executive powers, leading judicial and law schools, as well as judges and international and local experts...

An SMM national staff member who had been held in Donetsk city was released. The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous day. Luhansk region remained calm with no ceasefire violations recorded. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons; it noted armoured combat vehicles and an anti-aircraft gun in the security zone. Armed “DPR” members continued to keep the power supply to SMM’s repeater in Donetsk city disconnected; the SMM faced two additional restrictions on its freedom of movement, both in border areas not controlled by the Government...

Equal access to justice for women and men was the focus of an OSCE-supported forum on 9 June 2016 in Kyiv, which brought together over 80 representatives of the national justice system, legislative and executive authorities, the Ombudsman Office, regional and international organizations and NGOs...

DUSHANBE, 8 June 2016 – A one-year learning course on Border Security and Management for Senior Leadership (BSMSL) was launched with an introductory meeting that took place in Dushanbe from 6-8 June...