News and press releases

KYIV, 14 April 2016 – On behalf of the OSCE Secretariat and in close cooperation with the Project Coordinator in Ukraine (PCU), Deputy to the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Jeffrey Erlich donated today to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) the first lot of equipment for the removal of unexploded ordnances (UXO) in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with each of the previous two days. In Luhansk region a low number of ceasefire violations were recorded. The Mission observed live-fire exercises within the security zone. The SMM noted that weapons were absent from storage sites and holding areas. In Luhansk city the SMM observed a number of weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines. It observed craters and other impacts from shelling. The Mission visited one border crossing point in an area not controlled by the Government. It encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions in non-government-controlled areas.* The SMM observed a number of public gatherings in Odessa and Kyiv.

The fundamentals of trial monitoring were the focus of a training event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the Educational Human Rights House, from 6 to 8 April 2016 in Chernihiv, Ukraine. Bringing together 26 lawyers representing

The SMM observed an increase in the number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region the number of violations observed was similar to the previous day. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It reached a border crossing point not controlled by the Government. Long queues of vehicles were observed at checkpoints near the contact line. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. The SMM followed up on the situation affecting pensioners in areas close to the contact line. In Kyiv and Kharkiv, the Mission monitored public gatherings.

The SMM observed a decrease in the number of ceasefire violations on both 19 and 20 March compared with 18 March, and notably registered no violations overnight from 19-20 March in Donetsk region. The situation remained stable in Luhansk. The SMM followed up on allegations of shelling and conducted crater analysis. It facilitated the repair of essential infrastructure. The Mission monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement mainly in areas not controlled by the Government, including in border areas.* The Mission observed the Festival of Equality and violent counter-demonstrations in Lviv.

The SMM observed an increase in ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Small-arms shots were fired in close proximity to SMM monitors south-west of “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata. The Mission monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement mainly in areas not controlled by the Government*. The SMM observed actions related to the de-communization law.

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions than the previous day and continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement, mainly in areas not controlled by the Government*. The Mission monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation. The Mission continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. The SMM facilitated and monitored the resumption of operations at Yasynuvata water filtration station.