News and press releases

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). While according to data received from Rostov region Border Guard Service the number of entries/exits increased compared to last week, the OM observed an overall decrease of crossings under the specific categories...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous day. The Mission observed the aftermath of shelling on both sides of the contact line and analysed craters in and around Krasnohorivka, Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove), Novotoshkivske, Popasna and Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov), assessing in all cases the direction of fire. It observed the presence of multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) in violation of the respective withdrawal line on both sides of the contact line. The SMM noted long queues at an entry-exit checkpoint near the contact line in Stanytsia Luhanska and monitored one border area not controlled by the Government. The SMM continued to monitor the situation at three crossing points at the administrative boundary line between Kherson region and Crimea, observing the closure of one of crossing point. The Mission observed public gatherings in Lviv and Kyiv...

A three-day training course organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan on the importance of religious dialogue and the role of religious leaders in efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT), promoting peace and building trust between various parties, commenced on 9 August 2016 in Dushanbe...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations than during the previous day. The Mission followed up on civilian casualties in Kurakhove, and observed craters in and around Krasnohorivka, Svitlodarsk, Bohdanivka, Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove), Sakhanka and Horlivka. It noted the presence of tanks and towed howitzers at training areas, observed the presence of new mine signs and facilitated repair work to essential infrastructure. The SMM noted long lines at an entry-exit checkpoint near the contact line in Olenivka and monitored three border areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission observed a public gathering in Kyiv and monitored the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs). It faced two freedom-of-movement restrictions...

DUSHANBE, 9 August 2016 – Fostering gender-sensitive approaches in water management in Central Asia is the focus of today’s side event organized by the OSCE and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) during the High-level Symposium on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 in Dushanbe...

VIENNA, 9 August 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed deep sorrow following the death of Željko Kopanja, journalist and owner of Nezavisne novine and Glas Srpske, who died on 8 August...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations during the daytime of 6 August and a lower number of violations during the night of that day, compared to the respective time period of 5 August. An increase in the number of recorded violations was noted during the daytime of 7 August with almost triple the number of explosions as compared to the previous period. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in the daytime of 6 August compared to the day before. No violations were recorded during the night of 6 August and the whole day of 7 August. The Mission followed up on civilian casualties in Avdiivka, Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi district and Yasynuvata, and conducted crater analysis in Petrovskyi district, Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove) and Sakhanka. It faced six freedom-of-movement restrictions, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM followed up on media reports about the closure of the three crossing points at the administrative boundary line between Kherson region and Crimea. On the morning of 6 August, the SMM heard an explosion 3.9km east of its location in Luhansk city and saw a severely damaged vehicle at the scene. On the late morning of 7 August, the SMM experienced an earthquake whilst in its location in Mariupol...