News and press releases

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region between the evenings of 29 and 30 September compared with the previous reporting period. Between the evenings of 30 September and 1 October the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous 24 hours. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded similar numbers of ceasefire violations between the evenings of 29 and 30 September and between 30 September and 1 October compared with the previous reporting period. While in government-controlled Kriakivka the SMM heard small-arms fire and two explosions nearby and immediately left the area. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske disengagement areas. Its access remained restricted in the disengagement areas and elsewhere.* The SMM assessed impact sites in Dokuchaievsk and in the Trudivski area of Donetsk city. The Mission visited two border areas not under government control. The SMM continued to follow up on the incident at an ammunition depot in Kalynivka, Vinnytsia region...

VIENNA, 2 October 2017- The Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger today expressed concern about recent developments in Spain...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of a civilian casualty from Zhovanka neighbourhood of Zaitseve, Donetsk region. The SMM observed damage to civilian properties in residential areas in Yasynuvata, Donetsk region. The SMM continued monitoring the three agreed disengagement areas and recorded ceasefire violations inside the Petrivske one. Its access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere, including in Shcherbak in Donetsk region.

VIENNA, 29 September 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today condemned the fire bombing of the Moscow offices and threats against the Russian news website Lenta.ru.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of a civilian casualty from Kramatorsk. The SMM observed damage to civilian properties in residential areas in Marinka and near a bus stop in the Trudivski area of Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi district. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas and recorded ceasefire violations near, but outside, the Zolote and Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement areas. Its access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere.* It saw weapons in violations of withdrawal lines in areas outside of government control. The Mission facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure in Shchastia, Almazna, Luhanske, and Myronivka. The SMM followed up on reports of an incident at an ammunition depot in Kalynivka, Vinnytsia region.

While concluding that political parties were able to campaign freely in Albania’s 25 June 2017 parliamentary elections and that fundamental freedoms were respected, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) notes in its  final report an overall lack of public trust in the

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of a civilian casualty from Vasylivka. It again observed damage to buildings from gunfire in Dokuchaievsk. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas and recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske. Its access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere, including in Horlivka, Trokhizbenka and Novoazovsk near the border with the Russian Federation.* The Mission facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure in Shchastia and near Artema, Almazna, Luhanske and Krasnyi Lyman. The SMM followed up on reports of an incident at an ammunition depot in Kalynivka, Vinnytsia region.