News and press releases

Since the early hours of 24 February, at various locations across Ukraine, the SMM observed a severely deteriorated security situation.  The Mission heard multiple explosions, including multiple launch rocket system fire. The SMM saw military aircraft overflying Kherson and Kyiv cities. The Mission

VIENNA, 24 February 2022 – Referring to the Russian military operation in Ukraine as “indefensible” and a “gross violation of international law,” OSCE parliamentarians gathered in the hybrid Winter Meeting urged an immediate end to the hostilities and a return to diplomacy. Some 28 parliamentarians took the floor in an open debate, with most expressing clear opposition to the incursion and deep concern for the lives of civilians in Ukraine.

BUDAPEST, 24 February 2022- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 3 April parliamentary elections and referendum in Hungary, following an official invitation from the national authorities and a needs assessment mission conducted in January this year.

On the morning of 23 February, an SMM patrol was conducting a pre-announced SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight to monitor the security situation north of Rodakove (non-government-controlled, 22km west of Luhansk), about 10km south of the contact line, when it was approached by two armed members of the armed formations...

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 528 ceasefire violations, including 345 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 703 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 1,182 ceasefire violations, including 1,075 explosions. In the previous

BELGRADE, 23 February 2022- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 3 April presidential and early parliamentary elections in Serbia, following an official invitation from the national authorities and a needs assessment mission conducted in December last year.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 703 ceasefire violations, including 332 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 579 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 1,224 ceasefire violations, including 1,149 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it