News and press releases

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM followed up on reports of three children injured by the explosion of unexploded ordnance in Krasnohorivka. The SMM observed damage caused by gunfire to civilian properties in a residential area of Dokuchaievsk. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations near the Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote disengagement areas. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs and maintenance works to essential infrastructure near Artema, Kadiivka and Maiorsk. The SMM monitored a transfer of pre-conflict detainees from non-government- to government-controlled areas in Donetsk region; it also monitored the transport of mortal remains from government- to non-government-controlled areas in Luhansk region. The Mission visited a border area not under government control. In Kyiv, in front of the Parliament building the SMM saw about 500 people carrying flags and banners demanding higher pensions...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and while present in Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote it observed calm situations. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including near Manuilivka and to a heavy weapons holding area in a non-government-controlled part of Donetsk region.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in Makiivka and Novoamvrosiivske. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repair and maintenance works to essential civilian infrastructure near Vasylivka, Artema and Kadiivka. The Mission visited a border area not under government control. The SMM observed a gathering at the Polish consulate in Lviv...

VIENNA, 7 February 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir turned to the authorities of Turkey yesterday to strongly contest the detention of hundreds of social media users for expressing their critical views on the Afrin operations in Syria...

PODGORICA, 7 February 2018- In the first of a series of official visits in South-Eastern Europe the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, met on 5 and 6 February with the authorities and media professionals in Podgorica...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous 24 hours and no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations near the Petrivske disengagement area. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in Kreminets and Naberezhne.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Sievierodonetsk and Khrustalnyi. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repair and maintenance works on essential civilian infrastructure near Shchastia, Artema, Kalynove, Mykhailivka-Almazna, and Slovianoserbsk. The Mission visited five border areas not under government control. The SMM observed gatherings in Kharkiv and Odessa, and followed up on reports of an incident at the building where the Zakarpattia Hungarian Union is located in Uzhhorod...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region between the evenings of 2 and 3 February compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions between the evenings of 3 and 4 February compared with the previous 24 hours. Small arms fire was directed towards an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle at a heavy weapons holding area in Donetsk region. The SMM observed damage to civilian properties in Myronivskyi. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations near the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area. The Mission's access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in Mineralne and to a compound in Luhansk city.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Bakhmut. The Mission visited two border areas not under government control. In Lviv, the SMM followed up on reports of a fire at a church and monitored an international border crossing point near Shehyni as well as three gatherings in Kyiv...

VIENNA, 5 February 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today welcomed reports of the release of journalist Dilmurod Saiid, who has served nine years behind bars.