OSCE SMM Spot Report 7/2020: Members of the armed formations continued to deny SMM patrols passage at a checkpoint in Luhansk region

On 31 March and 1 April, members of the armed formations again denied attempts of the SMM to travel towards non-government-controlled areas along an official crossing route.

On both days, at a checkpoint 200m south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (15km north-east of Luhansk), members of the armed formations denied the SMM passage towards non-government-controlled areas, citing “orders from superiors”.

The Mission began facing repeated denials when attempting to cross into non-government-controlled areas at checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk region on 21 March and Luhansk region on 23 March (see SMM Spot Reports 2/2020, 3/2020, 4/2020, 5/2020, and 6/2020). They restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, thus impeding the implementation of its Mandate throughout the country.