Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 4 April 2017
This report is for the media and the general public.
Despite the relatively calmer security situation since the renewed commitment to the ceasefire beginning on 1 April, the SMM continued to observe ceasefire violations. In Luhansk region the Mission observed fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period. In Donetsk region, however, it observed an increase in the number of ceasefire violations for the second consecutive day, including twice as many explosions than in the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on a report of a civilian casualty in Kurakhove and observed impact sites at a checkpoint area in Molodizhne. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted.* It continued to observe weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. The SMM observed demining activity as well as repair work near the Donetsk Water Filtration Station that led to restoration of electricity to the Station and to the town of Avdiivka. The Mission monitored a border area currently not under government control. The SMM noted no changes and a calm situation at the blockade sites near Buhas and Bakhmut.
In Donetsk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations,[1] including about 420 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (190 explosions). About 70 per cent of the explosions were recorded in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area.
During the night of 3-4 April, while in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard 65 undetermined explosions 8-10km north-west. During the same night, the SMM camera at the “DPR”-controlled Oktiabr mine (9km north-west of Donetsk city centre), recorded ceasefire violations that started with two rocket-assisted projectiles in flight from south-west to north-east. These were followed by aggregated totals of 18 undetermined explosions, 47 rocket-assisted projectiles in flight (eight from west to east, nine east to west, 14 north-west to south-east, 11 south-west to north-east, five south-east to north-west) and 67 tracer rounds (ten west to east, 15 east to west, 40 south-west to north-east, two south-east to north-west), all 8-12km north-east of the camera. The following day, the same camera recorded one undetermined explosion 2-4km north-east.
During the day on 4 April, positioned at the “DPR”-controlled Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of the city centre) the SMM heard seven undetermined explosions 3-7km west-north-west and north-north-west and two explosions assessed as impacts of rounds from unknown weapons 3-5km north-north-west. Positioned in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) for about five hours, the SMM heard 115 undetermined explosions of which 74 were 3-6km west and the rest 1-5km south-east and south.
Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk) for about six hours, the SMM heard 73 undetermined explosions 2-7km at directions ranging from south-west to north-west. At the same time, positioned 4km west of Yasynuvata, the SMM heard 33 undetermined explosions at distances 1-4km in directions ranging from south-west to north-west. Thirteen of them could be the same explosions heard from the SMM’s position in Yasynuvata.
On the evening of 3 April, while in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard and saw 22 tracer rounds in flight from south-west to north-east, and heard five undetermined explosions as well as bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 3-7km south-west. The following day, while in Horlivka the SMM heard five undetermined explosions and more than 100 bursts and shots of heavy-machine-gun fire 3-5km south-west. Positioned 7km north of Horlivka, the SMM heard three undetermined explosions 5-8km west.
Positioned in government-controlled Vesele (21km north of Donetsk) the SMM heard 77 undetermined explosions 5-7km south-west. Positioned 1.5km south of government-controlled Kamianka (20km north of Donetsk) the SMM heard one explosion assessed as an impact of a round from an undetermined weapon 3-4km west and eight undetermined explosions 1-4km south, south-west and west.
On the night of 3-4 April, the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded an exchange of fire that started with two undetermined explosions, two rocket-assisted projectiles and 56 tracer rounds in flight from east to west, followed by two undetermined explosions, 14 rocket-assisted projectiles and 15 tracer rounds in flight from west to east. In addition, the camera recorded a total of 39 tracer rounds in flight (one south to north, 24 west to east, 14 east to west), 12 rocket-assisted projectiles in flight (ten west to east, two east to west) and one undetermined explosion, all at undetermined distances north and north-north-east of the camera.
In Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including 15 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (about 30 explosions). Positioned 1km north-east of “LPR”-controlled Kruta Hora (16km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 10km south-south-east.
During the morning on 4 April, positioned 4km north-east of government-controlled Lobacheve (17km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard two undetermined explosions 15km south-west. Soon after, positioned in Lobacheve the SMM heard two undetermined explosions 10km south-west.
Positioned about 3km south-east of government-controlled Staryi Aidar (20km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard three explosions assessed as impacts of rounds from unknown weapons 10km north-west and seven explosions assessed as outgoing artillery rounds (152mm) 15km south. Positioned 1km north-east of “LPR”-controlled Kalynove-Borshchuvate (61km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 10km west.
The SMM followed up on a report of a civilian casualty and observed impact sites. Medical staff at a hospital in government-controlled Kurakhove (40km west of Donetsk) told the SMM that on 3 April, a 15-year-old boy had been admitted to the hospital with ten metal splinter wounds to his right leg allegedly received while in Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk).
On 3 April at a checkpoint near “LPR”-controlled Molodizhne (63km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM observed five fresh impact sites. Two craters were on a north-west facing side of a concrete block at the checkpoint while two others on the wooden part of a north-west facing position nearby. The SMM assessed the direction of fire as from west-north-west, but could not determine the type of weapon. Another crater was 10m south of the concrete block. The SMM assessed the direction of the fire as from north-north-west, but could not assess the type of weapon. The SMM saw an armed “LPR” member dig an unexploded grenade from the crater, which the SMM assessed as recently fired from an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23, 23mm) cannon.
The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas of Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), Zolote (60km west of Luhansk) and Petrivske (41km south of Donetsk), as foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September 2016. The SMM’s access remained restricted but the Mission was able to partially monitor them.*
The SMM observed no ceasefire violations in and near the Stanytsia Luhanska and the Zolote disengagement areas while present.
On the night of 2 April the SMM camera in government-controlled Zolote recorded one undetermined explosion 5km south-east, assessed as outside the disengagement area.
Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Petrivske the SMM heard 33 shots of small-arms fire 1-3km south-south-east and 19 shots of small-arms fire 0.5-1km south, assessed as outside the disengagement area.
While in government-controlled Bohdanivka (41km south-west of Donetsk), west of the Petrivske disengagement area, the SMM saw a fixed-winged unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (unknown model) flying at an altitude of about 100m from the north-west.
The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, in implementation of the Package of Measures, its Addendum, and the Memorandum.[2]
In violation of the respective withdrawal lines in government-controlled areas the SMM saw ten self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) in Bohoiavlenka (46km south-west of Donetsk), and nine anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) of which three were near Stupochky (60km north of Donetsk) and six near Novoaidar (49km north-east of Luhansk). An SMM mid-range UAV spotted one mortar (120mm) at the eastern edge of Avdiivka on 31 March.
Beyond withdrawal lines, but outside storage sites, the SMM saw eight tanks (type unknown) in a known training area near “LPR”-controlled Uspenka (23km south-west of Luhansk). An SMM mid-range UAV spotted at least 11 tanks (T-64) at northern edge of government- controlled Mariupol (102km south of Donetsk) on 1 April.
The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage does not comply with the criteria set in the 16 October 2015 notification. In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed: 24 self-propelled howitzers (16 2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm; and eight 2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm), four towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm), four mortars (2B11 Sani, 120mm) and four surface-to-air missiles (9K35 Strela-10, 120mm). The SMM noted that 31 self-propelled howitzers (2S3), 29 towed howitzers (2A65), one mortar (2B11) and ten tanks (T-72) were again missing. Two self-propelled howitzers (one 2S3, one 2S1), five mortars (2B11) and six towed howitzers (2A18 D-30, 122mm) were noted as missing for the first time.
The SMM revisited a Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage site, whose location corresponded with the withdrawal lines, and found that six mortars (2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) and 64 tanks (23 T-64 and 41 T-72) were again missing. The SMM also noted weapons present for the first time and was allowed to take the serial numbers of only some of them*.
The SMM revisited a “DPR” permanent storage site, whose location corresponded with the withdrawal lines, and found that 12 tanks (seven T-72 and five T-64) were again missing.
The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles, an anti-aircraft gun[3] and a UAV in the security zone, including in residential areas. In government-controlled areas the SMM saw: one infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) (BMP-1) near a checkpoint in Zolote, outside the disengagement area, and a UAV flying at an altitude of 100m above Bohdanivka (see section on disengagement areas above). On 2 April, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted three probable IFVs (BMP) and three armoured vehicles (type unknown) near Popasna (69km west of Luhansk), eight IFVs (seven BMP-1 and one BMP-2) parked next to houses in Slavne (26km south-west of Donetsk) and two armoured personnel carriers (APCs) north of Slavne, three probable APCs (BTR) in Taramchuck (29km south-west of Donetsk) and seven probable APCs (MT-LB), as well as trenches and bunkers north of Lobacheve. On 3 April, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted two armoured vehicles near Kapitanove (49km north-west of Luhansk).
In non-government-controlled areas, the SMM saw one APC (MT-LB) near Molodizhne on 3 April. On 4 April, the SMM saw four APCs (MT-LB) in a compound west of Donetsk city. On 2 April, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) mounted on a truck south of Znamianka (36km north-west of Luhansk).
The SMM observed demining activity and monitored and facilitated adherence to the ceasefire, co-ordinated by the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) to enable demining and repair works. In government-controlled Lobacheve the SMM observed that three under-barrel grenades (VOG-25), previously observed, had been removed. In “LPR”-controlled Khriashchuvate (10km south-east of Luhansk) and Sukhodilsk (38km south-east of Luhansk) the SMM saw armed “LPR” members inspecting the sides of roads for mines.
Along road H20, north of the junction with road M04 near the Donetsk Water Filtration Station located between Avdiivka and Yasynuvata, the SMM saw a “DPR” demining team remove a grenade (VOG-25) and a grenade launcher round (PG-7M). While present the SMM observed Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers reinforce a position with sandbags west of the road. At the road turn to the Donetsk Water Filtration Station the SMM observed deminers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces and from non-government controlled areas, accompanied also by Ukrainian and Russian officers of the JCCC, conduct an assessment at an electricity substation to enable repairs.
Later in the course of the day, the SMM observed that a DTEK repair team completed the necessary repairs on pylon 105. They said that no new problematic areas requiring repair were identified. The SMM also observed workers from non-government-controlled areas repair the oil tank of the transformer, replace severed wires and reconnect them. Later the SMM observed that electricity was restored to the Station and to the town of Avdiivka.
The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians living along the contact line. In “LPR”-controlled Vesela Hora (16km north of Luhansk) four women (in their forties) and a nurse from a local medical centre separately told the SMM that the village had no water supplied since more than two weeks. In “LPR”-controlled Pryvitne (11km north of Luhansk) the SMM saw four residents standing on the road with buckets; they said they were waiting for the water truck. A 50-year-old woman told the SMM that the village had been without water since 8 March. She added that a truck distributed potable water only once a month while another one distributed non-potable water twice a week. The SMM observed that the water truck turned around half way through the village, and that more than 15 people turned back to their houses without water.
The SMM visited a border area currently not under the control of the Government. During a 25-minute visit at the border crossing point near Novoazovsk (101km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM saw four civilian vehicles and one fuel tanker truck (with Ukrainian licence plates) leave Ukraine and five civilian vehicles (four with Ukrainian and one with Polish licence plates) and two pedestrians enter Ukraine. The SMM also saw 17 trucks with cargo covered areas with Russian Federation licence plates queuing on each side of the road close to the border crossing point. Two truck drivers said that they transported different agricultural products across the border. A shop keeper nearby told the SMM that trucks crossing at this border crossing point usually transported agricultural products. An unarmed “DPR” member staffing the crossing point refused to talk to the SMM.
The SMM noted no changes and a calm situation at blockade sites near Buhas (44km south-west of Donetsk) and Bakhmut (formerly Artemivsk, 67km north of Donetsk).
The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Odessa, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Chernivtsi, and Kyiv.
*Restrictions of SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate
The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations. They have also agreed that the JCCC should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance.
Denial of access:
- At the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, a Ukrainian officer of the JCCC told the SMM that its safety still could not be guaranteed in the areas surrounding the main road due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- The possible presence of mines and UXO prevented the SMM from travelling further south-east into the Zolote disengagement area from government-controlled Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk). The Mission informed the JCCC.
- At an “LPR” checkpoint on the edge of the Zolote disengagement area, armed men told the SMM that its safety still could not be guaranteed in the fields and side roads due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- The SMM was unable to travel west from “DPR”-controlled Petrivske due to the possible presence of mines. The Mission informed the JCCC.
- The SMM was not able to proceed eastward to Viktorivka (42km southwest of Donetsk) from government-controlled Bohdanivka as Ukrainian officers of the JCCC said that they could not ensure security for the SMM to travel, adding that anti-tank mines were still present on the road. The SMM again informed the JCCC.
- The SMM still could not travel south of the bridge in government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk), as Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel said there were mines on the road south of the bridge. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- The presence of anti-tank obstacles and mine hazard signs on the road again prevented the SMM from traveling between Katerynivka and Popasna. Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel present told the SMM that the road was mined. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer refused to allow the SMM to check the content of boxes marked as storing ammunition at a heavy weapons holding area. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer allowed the SMM to take the serial numbers of only part of the additional weapons seen present at a permanent storage site.
- In “DPR”-controlled Markyne (94km south of Donetsk), two unarmed “DPR” members stopped the SMM and denied further passage. The SMM moved to a location nearby to report the incident, but the same “DPR” members approached the SMM and said that it was not allowed to make phone calls from that location and that it must leave the area immediately. The Mission informed the JCCC.
- Five armed “DPR” members in military-style clothing denied the SMM passage through a checkpoint in Staromykhailivka (15km west of Donetsk city centre). One of them cited orders from superiors. The SMM noted that civilian vehicles were let through the checkpoint. The SMM moved about 300m east of the checkpoint. One of the armed men approached and told the SMM to leave the area saying that there had been incoming fire in the last days. The SMM informed the JCCC.
- The SMM again saw a wooden utility pole blocking the road 1.3km south-west of “LPR”-controlled Hannivka (58km west of Luhansk). (See SMM Daily Report 3 April 2017.) The SMM informed the JCCC.
Delay:
- An armed “DPR” member denied the SMM access to a permanent storage site, citing instructions from supervisors. The SMM informed the JCCC and as a result of its successful intervention, the SMM was granted access about one hour later.
[1] Please see the annexed table for complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report.
* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions of SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate”.
[2] Following renewed commitment made at the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group on 29 March 2017 according to which the sides agreed on full adherence to the ceasefire and the completion of the withdrawal of weapons by 1 April, in the course of 31 March Ukrainian authorities and “LPR” members provided the SMM with some information related to weapons which they declared as withdrawn. The SMM received some information from “DPR” members on some weapons which they declared that they intended to withdraw.
[3] This hardware is not proscribed by the provisions of the Minsk agreements on the withdrawal of weapons.