OSCE Chief Monitor in Ukraine condemns sharp spike of violence in the east

KYIV, 15 April 2016 – Ertugrul Apakan, Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), expressed today his dismay at a sharp increase in fighting in the east of the country. On 14 April the number of ceasefire violations recorded by the SMM exceeded 4,000, with over 500 of them being explosions. The most acute deterioration was seen in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area in the Donetsk region, with high numbers of explosions caused by proscribed weapons.

“We have been registering with great concern the deterioration of the situation in the east for months now. It is regrettable that the sides did not heed our many calls for restraint,” said the Chief Monitor. “The fighting needs to stop now – the sides have to stand by the agreement they reached: introduce a full and sustainable ceasefire, withdraw weapons, clear the land of mines and create a safe and secure environment for civilians.”

Ambassador Apakan once again stressed that the SMM stands ready to facilitate dialogue between the sides in order to return normality to the lives of the people of Ukraine.