Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 8 May 2016

In Donetsk region, the SMM noted an increased number of ceasefire violations on both 7 and 8 May, compared to 6 May. In Luhansk region, it noted a low level of violence with less than 10 explosions recorded. The Mission observed the presence of hardware in violation of the respective withdrawal lines and continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM noted the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance. It continued to observe equally high numbers of civilians waiting to travel across the contact line, as before the weekend, and monitored the humanitarian situation of civilians affected by the conflict. The SMM visited one crossing point at the border in areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission monitored the situation of internally displaced persons in Kherson and observed a ceremony for “Reconciliation and Commemoration Day” in Lviv. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on ten occasions, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government.*

The SMM observed an increase of recorded ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on both 7 and 8 May, compared to 6 May.[1]

The majority of ceasefire violations were recorded whilst in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), most of these occurring in the evening and the night hours. From approximately 18:00 on 6 May, to 00:25 on 7 May, the SMM heard approximately 120 undetermined explosions and 280 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 5-10km east, south-east and south. On the night of 7 May, over a five hour time period from approximately 21:00 to 02:00, the SMM heard approximately 230 undetermined explosions and 395 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire 5-10km south-east of its position, along with 60 heavy-machine-gun bursts 5-8km east and 10 undetermined explosions 4-7km south-west.

The SMM recorded a significant number of ceasefire violations assessed as having been caused by mortars, especially in fighting between Avdiivka and Yasynuvata and on the north-eastern outskirts of Donetsk city. During a one-hour stretch in the early afternoon of 7 May, the SMM heard 23 mortar impacts (both 120 and 82mm) north-east, east and south-east of its position in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk). During the same time period, the SMM recorded 20 undetermined explosions 4-7km west of “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk). While positioned at the Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM heard 17 explosions assessed as 120mm mortar 5-10km north-east during a one-hour stretch in the afternoon of 7 May. The number of explosions recorded around the Donetsk city area decreased by more than three times on 8 May compared to 7 May.

The number of ceasefire violations in the southern Donetsk region, as well as Luhansk region, remained low, as on the day prior to the weekend. Approximately 1-1.5km north of “DPR”-controlled Oktiabr (29km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard seven bursts of small-arms fire in the late afternoon of 7 May. The Mission heard up to ten explosions at various times during the day on 7 May in Luhansk region from positions in government-controlled areas of Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk), Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), and Troitske (70km west of Luhansk). The situation in both areas was quiet on 8 May, with no ceasefire violations recorded.

On 7 May, at a “DPR” checkpoint in Lukove (41km north-east of Mariupol), an armed man pointed his weapon at an SMM vehicle while it was passing through the checkpoint. Another “DPR” member waved the SMM on and the patrol proceeded through the checkpoint.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures, on 7 May, in violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed seven tanks (T-72) in “LPR”-controlled Luhansk city. On 8 May, the SMM observed eight tanks (T-72) in Luhansk city.

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 2015 notification. The SMM revisited locations known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they do not comply with the specific criteria set out for permanent storage sites in the 16 October 2015 notification.

In “DPR”-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM visited such locations and observed eight self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), 11 towed howitzers (two 2A65 MSTA-B, 152mm; and nine D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) and nine mortars (PM-38, 120mm). It noted that 16 towed howitzers (five 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm; and 11 D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) and six mortars (PM-38, 120mm) were missing.

On 7 May, in violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed in “LPR”-controlled areas seven multi-launch rocket systems (MLRS, BM-21 Grad, 122mm), seven self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), ten towed howitzers (five 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm, and five D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm), and seven surface-to-air missile systems (9K35 Strela-10, 120mm) in Luhansk city. On 8 May, the SMM noted seven MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm), seven self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), 16 towed howitzers (five 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm, and 11 D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm), and seven surface-to-air missile systems (9K35 Strela-10, 120mm) in Luhansk city. In government-controlled Makarove (22km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM noted two anti-tank guided weapons (9-M113 Konkurs, 135mm) mounted on two infantry fighting vehicles (IFV; BMP-2) on 7 May.  

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles and other hardware within the security zone. On 7 May, the SMM noted an infantry fighting vehicle (BMP-2) in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk). On 7 May, in Luhansk city, the SMM observed the presence of seven armoured personnel carriers (BTR-80) and seven infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-2).

The SMM continued to observe the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). At a hospital in “DPR”-controlled Dokuchaievsk (32km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM spoke with a patient who said that he had sustained shrapnel injuries when he stepped on an antipersonnel mine on 1 April while walking along the Sukha Volnovakha River near Dokuchaievsk. On an unpaved road between the “DPR”-controlled villages of Krynychna (22km north-east of Donetsk) and Yasynivka (18km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed an improvised “mine” hazard sign, mounted on wooden sticks, approximately 20m from the road on 6 May. At the eastern outskirts of government-controlled Berezove (31km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed a concrete block next to the road with the word “mines” painted on it in red capital letters on 8 May. On 7 May, in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM noted that three UXOs which had been observed the previous day, had been removed.

The SMM continued to monitor long queues at entry-exit checkpoints near the contact line, mirroring the situation before the weekend. On 7 May, in the late morning at a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM noted 520 civilian cars and approximately 100 pedestrians waiting to travel towards government-controlled areas and no cars or pedestrians in the opposite direction. In the afternoon, at the same checkpoint, the SMM observed a queue of approximately 400 civilian cars and 20 pedestrians waiting to travel west and no traffic to the east. In the morning, at the government-controlled checkpoint in Stanytsia Luhanska, the SMM observed 350 pedestrians waiting to walk across the bridge towards government-controlled areas. Towards noon, the SMM observed 200 pedestrians waiting to walk towards “LPR”-controlled areas at the same checkpoint. Hundreds of pedestrians continued to cross the bridge during the afternoon. Approximately 70 per cent of those queuing were elderly women. In the morning on 8 May, also in Stanytsia Luhanska, approximately 250 people were waiting at the government-controlled checkpoint to walk to government-controlled areas. On 7 May, at a “DPR” checkpoint near Oktiabr the SMM noted that it took approximately 30 minutes for one civilian vehicle to pass through the checkpoint. Fourteen civilian vehicles were waiting to pass from non-government controlled areas to government controlled areas. On 8 May, at a government-controlled checkpoint in Novotroitske (67km north of Mariupol), the SMM found that though the checkpoint was operational, there was no civilian traffic, as the “DPR” checkpoint in Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk) remained closed. On 8 May, in a government-controlled area of Zolote (60km west of Luhansk), the SMM observed that Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel were stopping women who approached the checkpoint from “LPR”-controlled areas from travelling to government-controlled areas. A Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander confirmed that he had strict orders not to allow anyone to pass.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians affected by the conflict. While numerous individuals in non-government controlled areas again told the SMM that their greatest concern was the high unemployment rate, on two specific occasions, interlocutors expressed concern about educational opportunities for their children. In “DPR”-controlled Krynychna and “LPR”-controlled Katerynivka (19km south-east of Luhansk), residents told the SMM that they were worried about their children’s education as degrees obtained in non-government controlled areas are not recognized elsewhere.

The SMM monitored a border area not controlled by the Government. The SMM visited the border crossing point near “LPR”-controlled Novoborovytsi (79km south of Luhansk) and noted no significant activity in the area, as only one pedestrian was seen crossing the border. Two men were observed as they approached the border and received packages from relatives on the other side, including a large bag labelled as flour and another as potatoes.

In Kherson, the SMM met with a group of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Donetsk and Luhansk regions living in a state-owned student dormitory which has housed IDPs since 2014. The IDPs told the SMM that returning home was not an option due to concerns about the security situation and what they referred to as the lack of rule of law in areas not controlled by the Government. One woman mentioned that her apartment had been occupied illegally and another that her car had been illegally “confiscated”. The SMM also spoke with the management of the dormitory who told the SMM that they continued to be concerned about the lack of alternative accommodations for the IDPs, as the rooms which they are using free of charge are normally used by schoolchildren from socially vulnerable families.

On 8 May in Lviv, the SMM observed an event marking “Reconciliation and Commemoration Day” on the site of the Lviv citadel where a Nazi prison camp was once located. Approximately 250 people (mixed gender, mainly over 50), including local government officials, attended the event. 

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Odessa, 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’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access: 

• On 7 May, in Stanytsia Luhanska, a Ukrainian Armed Forces commander denied the SMM access to an area near the river. The SMM contacted an officer from the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) who initially said that the area was mined, and later stated that access could only be granted with the permission of a brigade commander.
• On 7 May, the SMM was stopped at a “DPR” checkpoint near a fenced compound in Donetsk city. A man in military-style attire told the SMM that the compound was home to a “military unit” and advised the SMM to contact the “DPR” “ministry of defence” to obtain permission to inspect the building. The SMM informed the JCCC about the incident.
• On 7 May, while travelling eastward on the southern outskirts of Donetsk city, “DPR” members at a checkpoint demanded that the SMM handover registration papers of their vehicles and national passports of the patrol members. The SMM refused and after 10 minutes of discussions and waiting was told by a “DPR” member that he had just received orders from the “ministry of state security” that the patrol must immediately leave the checkpoint and return to government-controlled areas. The patrol left and took an alternative route. The SMM informed the JCCC about the incident.
• An hour later, at the same checkpoint, armed men stopped the SMM and requested patrol members’ passports, warning that they would be denied passage otherwise. After approximately 15 minutes, the armed men advised the SMM to leave the checkpoint, for safety reasons, as no vehicles were allowed to remain at the checkpoint for longer than 15 minutes. The SMM departed and took an alternative route. The SMM informed the JCCC about the incident.
• On 7 May, at a “DPR”-controlled checkpoint in Oktiabr (29km north-east of Mariupol), “DPR” members denied the SMM passage after the patrol refused to show their national passports. The SMM contacted the JCCC who were unable to facilitate the passage of the patrol.

Conditional access:

• On 8 May, at a “DPR” checkpoint near Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), a “DPR” member insisted to register the national passports of patrol members. The national passports of the monitors were collected and taken away for 25 minutes after which the patrol was allowed to proceed. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• On two separate occasions on 7 May, at a “DPR” checkpoint just south of Donetsk city, “DPR” members told the SMM that they were under orders to review the national passports of members of SMM patrols before allowing them to proceed. The SMM showed their passports in these two cases and were allowed to proceed.

Delay:

• On 8 May, “DPR” members stopped the SMM at a checkpoint in Oktiabr and demanded that patrol members show their national passports. The SMM contacted the JCCC and the patrol was allowed to pass through the checkpoint without showing passports after a 23 minute delay.

Other impediments:

• In the early evening, an unmarked vehicle with four men and one woman wearing military-type uniforms passed an SMM patrol of two vehicles in Donetsk city. The civilian car suddenly, and without warning, swerved and braked in front of the SMM vehicles before driving away. Approximately 500m farther ahead the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road and turned on its emergency lights. The SMM attempted several times to turn into side streets but was blocked from doing so and the vehicle continued to shadow the patrol. On two occasions when the patrol stopped at traffic lights, the driver of the vehicle approached the SMM’s vehicle and attempted to attach black and orange St. George ribbons to the SMM’s vehicle. After approximately 20 minutes the civilian vehicle drove away.

Please see the annexed document for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as a map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report.

* 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”.