News and press releases

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.

KYIV, 27 March 2018- Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine Ertugrul Apakan today welcomed the renewed commitment to the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and a similar number in Luhansk region between the evenings of 23 and 24 March, compared with the previous reporting period. Between the evenings of 24 and 25 March, the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous 24 hours and no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded an explosion inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area and seven projectiles in flight inside the Petrivske disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere, including, again, near Izvaryne, an area close to the border with the Russian Federation, and at a checkpoint near Kreminets.* The SMM observed demining activities near Sartana. The Mission continued to facilitate access for workers to and from the Donetsk Filtration Station. The SMM followed up on reports of water shortages in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. Small arms were fired near an SMM patrol in Pikuzy. The Mission observed damage to civilian properties caused by shelling in Sakhanka. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and observed an explosion near the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere, including, again, in border areas near Izvaryne, Sievernyi and Voznesenivka (near the border with the Russian Federation), and at a checkpoint near Donetsk city. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Poltavka. The Mission continued to facilitate access for workers to and from the Donetsk Filtration Station. In Kyiv, the SMM monitored a court hearing. In Kharkiv, the Mission followed up on the situation of internally displaced persons...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere, including again at a checkpoint near Kreminets and at a heavy weapons holding area.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line, including in residential areas. The SMM continued to facilitate access for workers to and from the Donetsk Filtration Station. The Mission monitored a gathering in Kyiv related to the lifting of immunity of a Member of Parliament and in Lviv it monitored a gathering outside the City Council building.

WARSAW, 23 March 2018 – Wrapping up a two-day visit to Warsaw, where meetings have taken place with colleagues from the Polish Parliament and from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli (MP, Georgia) said today that solving common problems requires greater international co-operation.

KYIV, 22 March 2018 – The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), Ertugrul Apakan, welcomed today the extension of the SMM’s mandate for another year, stressing that the consensus decision of the OSCE’s 57 participating States constitutes both a continued commitment to the people of Ukraine and an endorsement of the Mission...