News and press releases

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region during the reporting period compared with the previous 24 hours. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations. The Mission followed up on reports of casualties and observed damage to civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted. The SMM observed weapons in violation of respective withdrawal lines and continued to monitor weapons’ withdrawal. The Mission visited one border crossing point currently not under government control...

MINSK, 17 January 2017 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Martin Sajdik made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG and its working groups in Minsk on 16 January 2017:

The security situation remained tense both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions over the weekend. The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions between the evenings of 13 and 14 January compared with the previous reporting period. On 15 January the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in each region.

The SMM recorded an increase in the overall number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, noting, however, a similar number involving mortar, artillery and tank fire compared with the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period, but a similar number of explosions. The SMM assessed an impact site in Debaltseve. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of respective withdrawal lines and continued to monitor weapons withdrawal. The SMM monitored repair of electricity lines in Debaltseve and resumption of water supply from Artema pumping station in areas of Luhansk region. The Mission visited one border crossing point currently not under government control. The SMM monitored the situation of IDPs in Ivano-Frankivsk...

The SMM recorded a similar overall number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region but more mortar and artillery explosions compared with the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period, with half the number of explosions assessed as live-fire exercises. The SMM assessed impacts sites in Kalynove, Molodizhne and Stanytsia Luhanska, and followed up on reports of a civilian casualty. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The SMM monitored the restart of water pumping operations in Artema, and the water supply situation in Avdiivka. The Mission visited two border crossing points currently not under government control...

VIENNA, 12 January 2017 – Austria’s OSCE Chairmanship 2017 aims to make determined use of the OSCE’s instruments to work for greater security and stability in Europe by creating more confidence through more co-operation, more predictability and more concrete approaches, said Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz today in his inaugural address to the Permanent Council as the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office...

Fewer ceasefire violations were recorded in Donetsk region and in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines near “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata and near government-controlled Karlivka. The SMM was restricted in its movement in the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.* Civilians on both sides of the contact line told the SMM about water supply problems. The SMM monitored infrastructure repairs on both sides of the contact line. The Mission visited two border crossing points currently not under government control...