Spot Report by the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine: Incoming mortar rounds explode near SMM in Pikuzy

On 10 March, the SMM was positioned with six monitors and two cars on road T0519 at the western edge of “DPR”-controlled Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove, 23km north-east of Mariupol) to monitor adherence to the ceasefire for repairs to gas pipelines, which had been damaged by shelling-related fire on 8 March. Five of the monitors were in the two SMM vehicles parked about 20m apart and one monitor was outside. The vehicles were parked 60-80m east of the forward “DPR” checkpoint. At 13:52 the SMM heard a whistling sound followed by an impact about 30m north of the SMM vehicles. After hearing the whistling, the sixth SMM patrol member returned to his vehicle. About 6-10 seconds later, the SMM heard a second impact, also 30m north of the SMM vehicles, and which exploded in the yard on the south-west side of a house. The house was located about 40-50m north-east of the “DPR” checkpoint. The second explosion caused soil to be displaced and thrown over the SMM vehicles. The SMM felt shock waves from both explosions. The SMM assessed that both explosions were caused by impacting 82mm mortar rounds. The SMM saw 4-5 local residents laying on the ground as well as about six armed “DPR” members taking cover in trenches near the checkpoint.

Following the two explosions, the SMM immediately left the area. No injuries to the SMM monitors or damage to SMM vehicles was sustained.