OSCE SMM Spot Report 25/2021: Non-SMM unmanned aerial vehicle and ceasefire violations close to the SMM patrol in Bolotene, Luhansk region

At 14:15 on 6 November, while positioned on the western edge of Bolotene (government-controlled, 22km north-east of Luhansk), the Mission heard four bursts of small-arms fire at an assessed range of less than 50m south of its position. SMM patrol members immediately re-entered their vehicles.

A few seconds later, while driving away, the Mission observed soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces firing into the air and saw a grey non-SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle flying over positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and then over the SMM patrol at an assessed altitude of 100-150m, despite the ban on the operation of any aerial vehicles included in the 22 July 2020 agreement on Measures to strengthen the ceasefire. As the patrol continued to drive away, at 14:16, it heard and saw one impact explosion at an assessed range of 20-30m south-east of its position.

The shooting and the explosion both occurred very close to the SMM patrol and represent serious security incidents for the Mission. The SMM patrol immediately left the area and returned safely to its base in Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk).

The SMM notes that OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 specifies that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas is essential to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation, the ceasefire, the withdrawal of weapons, demining, as well as disengagement. The mandate also tasks the Mission to report on any restrictions of its freedom of movement or other impediments in the fulfilment of its mandate.