Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine based on information received until 2 July 2014, 18:00 (Kyiv time)

This update is provided for the media and the public.

Tensions remained in parts of Donbas. The situation was calm elsewhere across the country.

In Kharkiv, the situation remained calm. The SMM observed approximately 150 opponents of Ukraine’s unity protesting in front of the Regional Administration against the European Union Association Agreement recently signed by President Poroshenko. When representatives of a local ‘self-defence’ group arrived at the spot, a verbal confrontation between the two groups ensued. The police maintained control and the protest ended without incident.  

The situation in parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions was tense and unchanged compared to previous days.

In the northern part of Luhansk, the SMM monitored the situation at a checkpoint situated at the entrance to Novoselivske (160 km north of Luhansk) and at a checkpoint at the intersection of the P07 and T303 roads to Lysychansk and Severodonetsk. Traffic moved freely at both checkpoints; the SMM noted that the flow of cars noticeably decreased after 12:00 at Novoselivske checkpoint. The SMM also observed that the transport of food, medicines and other goods was still allowed and regular in both ways between the cities of Kharkiv and Luhansk.

Over a two-hour period at Novoselivsk checkpoint, the SMM monitored four buses, each carrying approximately 30 to 40 women, children and elderly people fleeing their villages in the direction of Kharkiv. The SMM also saw a bus heading to Luhansk city with people from surrounding villages, who explained they would go back home to harvest.

The SMM patrolled in the city centre of Donetsk. The atmosphere was calm and quiet. Few people were in the streets. Public transport operated as normal.  On Artyoma street, the SMM observed two unarmed men in camouflage with the insignia of the “Russian Orthodox Army”.

The situation in Dnepropetrovsk, Kherson, Odessa, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv was calm.

The situation in Kyiv was also calm. The SMM observed a demonstration of approximately 300 people at the government bank guarantee office (Forum Bank). The demonstration was organized by an NGONGO
non-governmental organization, the Initiative Group of Depositors and Clients of Forum Bank.  Despite the initial tension, eventually the atmosphere calmed down and the protest proceeded calmly. No police presence was observed.