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...

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. In Donetsk region the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations and explosions compared with the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations. It followed up on civilian casualties treated at the Donetsk Trauma Hospital. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* The SMM saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Donetsk city. It saw two tail fins of 82mm mortar rounds and pieces of unexploded ordnance for the first time near Sentianivka and Sakhanka. The Mission visited three border areas currently not controlled by the Government, in Marynivka, Uspenka and Ulianivske. In Kyiv, the SMM monitored a public gathering. In Kherson region the Mission monitored the security situation at the administrative boundary line near Chaplynka...

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 24 May 2017 – The OSCE-supported eighth annual Central Asian Forum on Internet Development began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 24 May 2017- Michael Linhart, representative of the Austrian 2017 OSCE Chairmanship and Austrian Deputy Foreign Minister, visited the OSCE Mission in Kosovo today. Linhart was received by the Head of Mission, Ambassador Jan Braathu, and senior management, who briefed him on the Mission’s activities.

ULAANBAATAR, 24 May 2017 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened a limited election observation mission for the 26 June presidential election in Mongolia. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Mongolian Government...

ASTANA, 23 May 2017 – An OSCE-supported four-day regional training seminar for military officers on the practical implementation of the confidence- and security-building measures of the Vienna Document 2011 began today in Astana...

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. In Donetsk region the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations, but more explosions, compared with ceasefire violations recorded between the evenings of 20 and 21 May. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations. It observed damage from gunfire in residential areas in Dokuchaievsk. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* The SMM saw for the first time a mine hazard sign near Kruta Hora. The Mission visited a border area currently not controlled by the Government. In Odessa the SMM monitored a protest by internally displaced persons. In Kyiv the Mission followed up on reports of an explosion at the office of a political party...