OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine today monitors evacuation of civilians from Debaltseve

KYIV/DEBALTSEVE, 6 FEBRUAR 2015 – Monitors from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) today completed a full day of monitoring of the evacuation of civilians from the heavily-shelled city of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine.

SMM patrols were dispatched early this morning to Debaltseve after all sides agreed to an eight-hour temporary truce.  The truce allowed several hundred civilians to leave Debaltseve.

The SMM followed approximately 50 buses coming from Donetsk and Kramatorsk, which, after entering Debaltseve, collected civilians at assembly points in the city.  Those who wanted to leave the city were given the choice of one of two destinations.  The SMM then followed these buses on their respective journeys to Donetsk and Kramatorsk.

While in Debaltseve, the SMM observed significant damage to civilian infrastructure and residences caused by artillery strikes.  In addition, outgoing shelling was observed.

The SMM Chief Monitor, Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, thanked all those who worked to make the truce a reality, and helped facilitate the evacuation of civilians to safer ground.

“I call upon all sides to continue efforts to facilitate evacuations from areas where civilians are impacted,” said Apakan. “Localized cease-fires should be used to ease the conditions of civilians – particularly the most vulnerable – who find themselves trapped by the violence of the conflict. 

“The silence of the weapons should also be used as an opportunity for dialogue and the resumption of consultations towards a sustainable cease-fire and the full implementation of the Minsk documents.”

The temporary truce comes after the statement of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, on 3 February called on all actors in and around Debaltseve to establish a local temporary truce.