Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 21 December 2015

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM recorded a low number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region – mostly around Horlivka – and only one instance in Luhansk region. It experienced no specific freedom-of-movement restrictions during the reporting period. The SMM observed high numbers of people crossing the contact line, mostly into areas controlled by the Government. 

The SMM observed a low number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region[1]. Positioned in “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) between 14:01 and 14:31hrs[2], it did, however, record over 20 undetermined explosions. From its position 6km north-west of Donetsk city-centre between 8:45 and 15:15hrs, the SMM also heard three undetermined explosions at locations 3-5km to the north-west and west. Apart from several bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire and two loud explosions – assessed to have been part of exercises taking place near government-controlled Trokhizbenka (33km north-west of Luhansk) – the SMM recorded no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of measures, the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent weapons storage sites whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines and found that all weapons, previously verified as withdrawn to the sites, were present. At an additional site – whose location also corresponded with the withdrawal lines – however, it noted, as it has done since 9 December, that all previously-recorded weapons, namely, 32 tanks (T-72), one anti-tank gun (85mm) and four mortars (82mm), were missing.

In areas beyond the withdrawal lines and outside storage sites, the SMM observed the following Addendum-regulated weapons: 30 tanks near “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Kruhlyk (31km south of Luhansk).

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons foreseen in the Minsk Package of measures. The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October notification (see SMM Daily Report 14 December 2015).

The SMM revisited locations beyond the respective withdrawal lines known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they did not comply with the specific criteria set out in the 16 October notification.

In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such a holding area, where it observed the presence of all 21 previously-recorded weapons, namely 15 anti-tank guns (2A29/MT-12 Rapiras, 100mm) and six anti-tank guns (2A19/T-12 Rapiras, 100mm). It also noted the presence of two mortars (82mm), not previously recorded there.

The SMM monitored the presence of other hardware. It observed a minelayer (GMZ-3) near government-controlled Volnovakha (53km south-west of Donetsk).

The SMM observed two minefields close to a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk). Both had been recently marked and demarcated.

The SMM monitored the movement of civilians across the contact line. At a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near Marinka, the SMM observed 305 civilian vehicles heading west. At a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near government-controlled Berezove (31km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed approximately 220 vehicles heading to Mariupol and approximately 50 vehicles heading to Donetsk. At a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed approximately 500 people waiting to enter government-controlled areas. 

At a secondary school in Horlivka, staff told the SMM that current enrolment was down by more than half – from 325 to 160 – and staff numbers by 30 per cent compared to before the conflict. They said children were psychologically affected by the conflict after spending nights in basements, resulting in lack of focus and learning disabilities. They added that the teachers had started to receive salaries from the “DPR” in November 2015, having last been paid by the Government in July 2014.

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

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the 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. “LPR” members continue to prevent the SMM from monitoring many areas alongside the border in parts of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government.

Besides the above mentioned general restrictions, on 21 December the SMM was not subject to any specific restriction to its freedom of movement.

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate”.

[1] For complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table.

[2] All times are in Eastern European Time, unless otherwise specified.