News and press releases

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the period between the evenings of the 11 and 12 February, mainly in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was restricted on numerous other occasions, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line and noted the presence of armed formations in the security zone in Luhansk region. It facilitated repair of essential infrastructure near Luhanske and Pikuzy. The SMM observed the blockade of a railway crossing near Hirske and talked with interlocutors who spoke of the consequences of the blockade. The Mission followed up on a security incident at an activist camp in Kherson...

VIENNA, 14 February 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned recent arson attacks on a journalist’s car and television channels M1 and M2 in Ukraine...

Vienna, 14 February 2017 – OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Madina Jarbussynova, concluded on 11 February a six-day official visit to the Russian Federation to discuss the country’s implementation of OSCE anti-trafficking commitments.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations – including, however, more explosions – in Donetsk region between the evenings of 10 and 11 February compared with the previous reporting period. The number of ceasefire violations recorded was higher between the evenings of 11 and 12 February, but included fewer explosions. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations – including, however, fewer explosions – between the evenings of 10 and 11 February compared with the previous reporting period. The number of ceasefire violations between the evenings of 11 and 12 February was similar compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission followed up on a report of civilian casualties in Avdiivka. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was further restricted, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government, including in an incident in which warning shots were fired near the SMM in Pikuzy.* The Mission observed a considerable number of weapons in violation of withdrawal lines, weapons beyond withdrawal lines but outside storage sites, and armoured combat vehicles in the security zone, particularly in areas of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government. The Mission observed the blockade of a railway crossing near Petrivka, and noted that the blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued. It visited two border areas currently not under government control...

BELGRADE, 13 February 2017 –OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz reiterated today in Belgrade the organization’s support to Serbia in building strong, independent, accountable and effective democratic institutions...

SKOPJE, 13 February 2017- OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje Ambassador Nina Suomalainen and the Mission’s informal Youth Advisory Group exchanged views on youth perspectives in countering radicalization and violent extremism in a roundtable discussion hosted yesterday in Skopje...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was further restricted, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government.* The Mission noted that the blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued. It visited one border area currently not under government control. The SMM followed up on reports of vandalism at an art exhibition in Kyiv...