News and press releases

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission observed damage caused by shelling in government-controlled Vynohradne. It continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its movement in the three areas.* The SMM monitored the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission observed military presence in areas frequented by civilians. The SMM monitored gatherings outside courts in Kyiv and Odessa.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period, with most of the violations recorded around Debaltseve and in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations but fewer explosions compared with the previous day. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and damage to civilian infrastructure on the eastern outskirts of Mariupol, in Pikuzy, in Troitske, and damage to a school in Stanytsia Luhanska.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, mostly in areas around Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport and Svitlodarsk. In Luhansk region, the SMM also recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period.

VIENNA, 28 October 2016 – Young journalists from the Russian Federation and Ukraine today concluded a week-long workshop on post-conflict reconciliation in Sarajevo designed to give media experience in dealing with consequences from conflict...

In the morning of 16 October, from several positions in both government-controlled Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk) and government-controlled Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk), an SMM patrol composed of five members observed a steady exchange of fire ranging 4-6km east of all positions. The SMM heard over 60 explosions assessed as caused by mortar (82mm and 120mm) rounds, and sporadic bursts of automatic-grenade-launcher (AGS-17, 30mm) and heavy-machine-gun fire for over one hour and a half.

The SMM recorded a significant increase in ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the day before, the vast majority of which occurred in areas north-east of Mariupol. In Luhansk region more explosions were recorded compared with the day before. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; the SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* It followed up on reports of civilian casualties. The SMM observed the presence and movement of multiple armoured vehicles in government-controlled parts of Luhansk region. An unknown person threw an explosive device at the building housing the SMM office in Ivano-Frankivsk. The SMM observed a number of marches and events across Ukraine marking the “Day of the Defender”.

KYIV, 14 October 2016 – Ending a four-day visit to Kyiv, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the commitment by the authorities, the media community and civil society to strengthen media freedom in Ukraine. She also called on the authorities to intensify their efforts to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists...