Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 23 October 2015

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm although a number of explosions were recorded.

The situation remained generally calm in Donetsk region. The SMM, did, however, record explosions at a number of locations. Positioned in Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard seven explosions approximately 5km to the west-south-west, which members of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination later told the SMM were controlled explosions. Positioned in government-controlled Luhanske (58km north-north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard approximately seven explosions several kilometres to the south-south-east. Positioned in “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Marynivka (78km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard more than 40 explosions approximately 5-8km to the west-north-west. It assessed the weapon type used as either heavy mortar or artillery. Positioned in government-controlled Novoselydivka (36km west-north-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard one explosion to the north-east.

Nine internally displaced persons (IDPs) (seven middle-aged women and two middle-aged men) from government-controlled Pisky (12km north-west of Donetsk) told the SMM in Donetsk that more than 600 IDPs from Pisky currently live in Donetsk city. They said that they wanted access to the village to assess and repair damage to their homes, and retrieve documents.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines in Donetsk region, the SMM saw one main battle tank (MBT) in the area of “DPR”-controlled Michurine (56km north-east of Mariupol); and, four infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-1) – one fitted with an anti-tank system – in the area of “DPR”-controlled Telmanove (67km south-south-east of Donetsk).

In areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines in Donetsk region, the SMM observed one armoured tracked vehicle  (MTLB), mounted with a 12.7mm machine-gun in the area of “DPR”-controlled Kuteinykove (42km south-east of Donetsk); five armoured tracked vehicles (MTLB) in the area of “DPR”-controlled Ternove (57km east of Donetsk); at least 20 MBTs (T-72) close to a training ground in the area of “DPR”-controlled Ternove (57km east of Donetsk); and, three MTLBs in the area of “DPR”-controlled Khartsyzsk (26km east-north-east of Donetsk).

The SMM observed 12 trucks with “Rinat Akhmetov Foundation” markings just north of government-controlled Kurakhove (40km west of Donetsk), moving in the direction of Donetsk city.

The situation remained relatively calm in Luhansk region. The SMM did, however, note a number of explosions. Positioned in “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Krasnyi Lyman (30km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard ten explosions approximately 3-5km to the north. It assessed the explosions to have occurred at a training ground in government-controlled Trokhizbenka (33km north-west of Luhansk). Positioned 1km south-west of “LPR”-controlled Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard six explosions 13 or 14km to the north-west, assessed to have been caused by mortars fired at a training ground near "LPR"-controlled Illiriya (30km south-west of Luhansk).

In areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines in Luhansk region, the SMM observed seven self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika) in the area of "LPR"-controlled Uspenka (23km south-west of Luhansk).

The SMM also observed one infantry fighting vehicle (BMP-2) in the area of government-controlled Novookhtyrka (55km north-west of Luhansk); three military trucks, an amphibious vehicle and a pontoon bridge in the area of  government-controlled Novoaidar (49km north-west of Luhansk); and, four military-type trucks in the area of “LPR”-controlled Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk).

In government-controlled Komyshne (18km north-east of Luhansk), three middle-aged women told the SMM that the village was calm, resulting in a number of people – mostly women and children – returning to the village. Their primary concern, they said was the high cost of fuel, and the continued closure of the bridge in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), which they said cut people off from places of employment and shopping, and friends and relatives.

In "LPR"-controlled Seleznivka (43km south-west of Luhansk), an elderly woman told the SMM that she had a monthly pension of 2,000 roubles (EUR 30). She said it was insufficient to cover her living expenses.

In "LPR"-controlled Shyroke (43km south-west of Luhansk), a middle-aged man told the SMM that the living conditions for the 200 residents were difficult. Despite a poor harvest, he said private gardens allowed for food self-sufficiency for most people living there.

In relation to the further implementation of the Addendum to the Package of measures, the SMM revisited on 22 and 23 October one Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent weapons storage site – whose location corresponded with respective withdrawal lines – and noted that all-previously recorded weapons were present on both occasions. The serial numbers on one of the weapons, however, did not match those in a previously-provided inventory.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Odessa, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, and Kyiv.

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by the parties and security considerations, including mine threats, damaged infrastructure, and the unpredictability of the situation in Donbas. Armed individuals continue to prevent the SMM from monitoring most areas close to the border with the Russian Federation in parts of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government.

Besides the above-mentioned general restrictions that continue, the SMM was on 23 October not subject to any specific restriction of its freedom of movement.

For a complete breakdown of incidents, please see the annexed table.