OSCE SMM Spot Report 3/2020: Members of the armed formations denied SMM patrols passage at two checkpoints in Donetsk region and at one checkpoint in Luhansk region

On 23 March, members of the armed formations denied two attempts of the SMM to cross into non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region, as well as one attempt in Luhansk region, along official crossing routes. The Mission was also delayed exit, for the first time, towards government-controlled areas, in Donetsk region.

At about 09:20, at a checkpoint near Olenivka (non-government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk), members of the armed formations again denied an SMM patrol – comprising two vehicles and four members coming from Mariupol (government-controlled, 102km south of Donetsk) and heading to Donetsk city – passage into non-government-controlled areas, citing “the closure of the checkpoint”.

At about 10:00, at a checkpoint near Kreminets (non-government-controlled, 16km south-west of Donetsk), members of the armed formations denied an SMM patrol – comprising two vehicles and four members coming from Pokrovsk (formerly Krasnoarmiisk, government-controlled, 55km north-west of Donetsk) and heading to Donetsk city – passage into non-government-controlled areas, citing “the closure of the checkpoint”.

At about 08:30, at the checkpoint near Kreminets, a member of the armed formations refused another SMM patrol – comprising two vehicles and six members coming from Donetsk city and heading to Kramatorsk (government-controlled, 83km north of Donetsk) – passage, for the first time, towards government-controlled areas, citing “the closure of the checkpoint”. While present, the Mission saw that all civilians travelling in both directions were denied passage, except those living in nearby villages, and factory workers. At 09:10, the SMM informed senior members of the armed formations of the situation – and at 11:40, the SMM patrol was allowed to travel towards government-controlled areas. 

At about 11:10, at the checkpoint of the armed formations south of  Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (15km north-east of Luhansk), members of the armed formation denied an SMM foot patrol – comprising three members – passage into non-government-controlled areas, saying “no one is allowed access”.

On 21 and 22 March, at checkpoints near Olenivka and Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, non-government-controlled, 85km south of Donetsk), in Donetsk region, members of the armed formations denied SMM patrols travelling from government-controlled areas passage into non-government-controlled areas.

Today’s further denials and delay continued to restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, thus impeding the implementation of its Mandate throughout the country.