News and press releases

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, but fewer of these were explosions. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM followed up on an explosion in Donetsk city. The Mission observed unexploded ordnance in Pikuzy and impact sites near Svitlodarsk. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access remained restricted.* The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM monitored the removal of a roadblock between Lopaskyne and Lobacheve. The Mission monitored two border crossing points currently not under government control...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission observed impact sites and damage to civilian homes in Krynychne. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access remained restricted.* The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM observed unexploded ordnance on the road near an entry-exit checkpoint at the contact line. The SMM monitored repairs to a railway line that crosses the contact line in Luhansk region. The Mission monitored one border crossing point currently not under government control. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on both sides of the contact line...

VIENNA, 5 January 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the assault in Belgrade on Nihad Ibrahimkadić of the Anadolu Agency...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the period between the evenings of 1 and 2 January. The SMM followed up on a report of a shelling and observed an impact site. The Mission continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access remained restricted.* The SMM observed the placement of mine hazard signs on the non-government-controlled side of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM continued to observe queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line...

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs).

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region between the evenings of 29 and 30 December and in the following 24 hours compared with the previous reporting period. More violations were recorded between the evenings of 31 December and 1 January. Fewer ceasefire violations were recorded from 1 January to 2 January. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations between the evenings of 29 and 30 December compared with the previous reporting period, followed by two days of consecutive increases from 30 December to 1 January. Between the evenings of 1 and 2 January the SMM did not record any ceasefire violations...

VIENNA, 1 January 2017 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, highlighted three key challenges facing the Organization and its participating States as Austria took over as the 2017 OSCE Chairmanship: deplorable and complex crises and conflicts in the OSCE area, a fundamental lack of mutual trust and confidence, and an alarming phenomenon of growing radicalization and violent extremism, especially among young people: “We must vigorously engage and address this situation. The OSCE is the right platform to do so,” said Kurz.