News and press releases

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including however, more explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations but fewer explosions compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and observed damage in the aftermath of an explosion near Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere, including in Dovzhanske near the border with the Russian Federation and in Verkhnoshyrokivske.* The Mission observed a surface-to-air missile system in violation of withdrawal lines near Vershyna and a helicopter inside the security zone in Marinka, both in government-controlled areas. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs to essential infrastructure in Horlivka, Naberezhne, Artema and Krasnyi Lyman. The SMM observed two gatherings in Lviv region...

Following a recommitment to the ceasefire, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24 hours. A man at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Kozatske pointed an assault rifle at the SMM and threatened to shoot. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere, including in Voznesenivka near the border with the Russian Federation and in Bila Kamianka.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in a non-government-controlled area. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs to power lines near Yasynuvata, the Petrivske pumping station in Artema and to a water pipeline near Krasnyi Lyman. In Uzhhorod, the SMM spoke with members of the population and representatives of the police and prosecutor’s office...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region between the evenings of 2 and 3 March compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region between the evenings of 3 and 4 March compared with the previous 24 hours. The SMM observed damage to a civilian property in a residential area in Pikuzy. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations assessed as inside the Stanytsia Luhanska area. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in Izvaryne near the border with the Russian Federation and in Staromarivka. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to the Petrivske pumping station in Artema and to a water pipe system in Novotoshkivske. The Mission visited four border areas not under government control. In Kyiv, the SMM observed the tents on Hrushevskoho Street being dismantled and monitored a gathering...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere, including, again, at three areas near the border with the Russian Federation in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region, as well as near Patriotychne.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in a government-controlled area. The Mission facilitated and monitored repair works to a water pumping station in Artema and to water wells in Krasnyi Lyman. In Kharkiv, the SMM followed up on reports of an exchange of border guard officers between Ukraine and the Russian Federation....

MINSK, 2 March 2018 – The Trilateral Contact Group and the representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions today issued the following statement calling for a ceasefire:

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, with more explosions in Luhansk region, compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission observed fresh damage caused by shelling to civilian residences in Dokuchaievsk. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted in Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote and elsewhere, including, once again, at a border area with the Russian Federation in Luhansk region.* In areas outside of government control, the SMM observed heavy weapons as missing from permanent storage sites. The Mission visited four border areas not under government control. In Uzhhorod, the Mission continued to follow up on reports of an explosion at the building where the office of the Zakarpattia Hungarian Union is located. The SMM observed a vandalized monument in Kherson. The SMM observed a gathering near the Parliament building in Kyiv...

BRATISLAVA, 2 March 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today welcomed the news that journalist Yusuf Ruzimurodov, who has spent 19 years in jail, has been released.