News and press releases

The SMM observed a significant decrease in the number of explosions recorded in Donetsk region on 23 August (approximately 170) compared with 22 August (531), although the number of recorded explosions doubled on 24 August (over 350) compared with the previous day. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded twice as many explosions on 23 August (over 140) and thrice as many explosions on 24 August (over 200) compared with 22 August (60). The Mission observed ceasefire violations involving proscribed weapons in close proximity of its positions in Yasynuvata and Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM conducted crater analysis and observed the results of shelling on both sides of the contact line, in Popasna, Hranitne, Solodke, Petrovskyi district, Novooleksandrivka, Stanytsia Luhanska, Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka, and Krymske. The SMM faced four freedom-of-movement restrictions, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission continued to observe a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM also monitored celebrations marking Independence Day which were held on 24 August...

On 25 August 2016 at 06:55hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 39 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guards and customs services prior to them crossing into Ukraine. All of the 39 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 16:15hrs on 25 August...

The Observer Mission continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs.

ISSYK-KUL, Kyrgyzstan, 24 August 2016 – A two-day workshop organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek for 16 young and recently-recruited mobile doctors from Batken, Osh, Jalalabad and Talas provinces on health care and human rights protection in detention facilities started today in Sary-Oi, Issyk-Kul region...

BERLIN, 24 August 2016 – Following recent incidents targeting patrol teams of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) in the country’s east, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, issued the following statement...

Some 30 female candidates who will be standing for election to the local councils in the Batken and Osh provinces in southern Kyrgyzstan in November 2016 as well as civil society and media representatives are participating in the OSCE-supported Women’s Leadership School, which started on 23 August in Batken. The training course is organized in co-operation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the NGO Women’s Support Centre...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and an increase in the number recorded in Luhansk region.