News and press releases

The Equal Opportunities Caucus, a cross-faction union at the Ukrainian parliament, and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) formally committed on 23 February 2017 to continue co-operation to support national efforts towards gender equality.

The SMM recorded a similar number of explosions in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties and shelling. The Mission saw weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. Its freedom of movement was restricted on both sides of the contact line.

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...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period, and facilitated dialogue strengthening the ceasefire. The Mission followed up on reports of shelling on both sides of the contact line, and assessed impact sites in Stanytsia Luhanska, Toshkivka, and Peredilske as caused by fire from multiple-launch-rocket systems.

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM and the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) facilitated repair of power supply to the Donetsk Water Filtration station and Avdiivka, which restored water, electricity and heating in the town. The Mission confirmed a report of a civilian fatality in Kurdiumivka and observed damage caused by shelling in Pikuzy, Donetsk and Novooleksandrivka. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The Mission followed up on the relocation of civilians from Avdiivka. The SMM visited three border areas currently not under control of the Government. The blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued.

At 07:55 on 4 February, the SMM heard a loud explosion south of the Luhansk city centre. At 11:30, the SMM went to Chervonopraporna Street where it observed that the incident site had been cordoned off and about 20 “LPR” members, both armed and unarmed, and a fire brigade, were on the spot.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period as the situation remained volatile. The Mission confirmed reports of casualties, including fatalities, and observed damage caused by shelling in residential areas of Avdiivka, Donetsk city, Sartana and Chernenko.