News and press releases

At about 09:00 on 3 February 2017, as an SMM patrol approached a position of the so-called “LPR” near Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk), it saw three armed men in military-style uniform about 30m away.

On 3 February the SMM followed up on reports of casualties following fighting in Donetsk region. Medical staff at a hospital in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) informed the SMM about two civilian fatalities and two other persons who had suffered shrapnel injuries.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period, though the overall situation remained tense. Most of the ceasefire violations were recorded in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The Mission followed up on reports of casualties and saw damage caused by shelling on both sides of the contact line, including in Avdiivka and Makiivka and observed the evacuation of children from Avdiivka.

VIENNA / KYIV, 3 February 2017 – The use of indiscriminate force in densely populated areas in eastern Ukraine is unacceptable. It must stop immediately and the sides need to cease fire now, said today OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier as he condemned the surge in fighting.

KYIV, 3 February 2017 – The safety of journalists in Ukraine can be improved through legislative amendments and a better response from law enforcement agencies, said speakers at a conference which opened in Kyiv today, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, UNESCO and the Institute for Mass Information.

KYIV, 3 February 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic today called for all sides in the conflict-affected area in Ukraine to increase their efforts to ensure safety of journalists.

VIENNA, 24 January 2017 – Following the latest Report of the Chief Monitor of the Special Monitoring Mission to the OSCE Permanent Council, the Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the continued deterioration of media freedom and safety of journalists in conflict-affected parts of Ukraine...