Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 24 August 2016

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM observed a significant decrease in the number of explosions recorded in Donetsk region on 23 August (approximately 170) compared with 22 August (531), although the number of recorded explosions doubled on 24 August (over 350) compared with the previous day. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded twice as many explosions on 23 August (over 140) and thrice as many explosions on 24 August (over 200) compared with 22 August (60). The Mission observed ceasefire violations involving proscribed weapons in close proximity of its positions in Yasynuvata and Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM conducted crater analysis and observed the results of shelling on both sides of the contact line, in Popasna, Hranitne, Solodke, Petrovskyi district, Novooleksandrivka, Stanytsia Luhanska, Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka, and Krymske. The SMM faced four freedom-of-movement restrictions, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission continued to observe a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM also monitored celebrations marking Independence Day which were held on 24 August.

The SMM noted a significant decrease in the number of ceasefire violations observed in Donetsk region on 23 August (approximately 170 explosions recorded) compared with 22 August (531), although the number of explosions doubled on 24 August (over 350) compared with the previous day). [1]

On the night of 22 August, whilst in Donetsk city centre the SMM heard 15 undetermined explosions 7-9km north-north-west of its position. The following day, positioned at the “DPR”-controlled Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre) between 08:30 and 13:20, the SMM heard three explosions (one caused by an impact of a round from an undetermined weapon and two undetermined explosions) 2-5km north and north-north-east of its position. During the night of 23 August, whilst in Donetsk city centre the SMM heard 29 undetermined explosions 4-8km north-north-west and west-north-west of its position.

Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk) between 10:10 and 15:30 on 23 August, the SMM did not record any ceasefire violations. The Ukrainian Armed Forces officer at the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) told the SMM that the Ukrainian Armed Forces and “DPR” had agreed to adhere to the ceasefire between 09:00 and 15:00 in the area due to the arrival of a Russian Federation convoy with humanitarian aid to “DPR”-controlled Kruta Balka and Yakovlivka (16 and 10km north-east of Donetsk, respectively). During the daytime of the same day, the SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) recorded one explosion assessed as caused by an impact of a round from an undetermined weapon 10km south of its location – a general area of the Donetsk airport (8km north-west of Donetsk city centre). Positioned in Avdiivka, the SMM heard two undetermined explosions 2-3km south-east of its position. On the night of 23 August, the SMM camera in Avdiivka recorded 77 explosions: all explosions which were assessed as caused by outgoing rounds – 43 from  mortar (82mm) and eight from recoilless gun (SPG-9, 73mm) – were recorded 2-3km east-south-east of its location, while all explosions caused by impacts – 26 from undetermined weapons – were recorded 4-5km east-south-east. On 24 August positioned at the observation post at the Yasynuvata railway station, the SMM heard at 11:26 two explosions assessed as outgoing artillery rounds 200-400m south-south-east of its position. The SMM assessed the projectiles flew over its position in a north-westerly direction. The SMM immediately pulled back to a safer position from where it continued to monitor, recording between 13:41 and 13:44 ten undetermined explosions 1.5-3km west-north-west of its position. The Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) was informed. Positioned in Avdiivka, the SMM heard 75 explosions, mostly 5-6km east, 4km north-east, and 1-2km south-east of its position. Among them, 46 explosions were assessed as caused by impacts of mortar (82mm) rounds and four as caused by outgoing mortar (82mm and 120mm) rounds.

On the evening of 23 August whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM heard 34 undetermined explosions 5-6km south-east of its position.

During the night of 22 August whilst in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 64 explosions, 27 of which were assessed as caused by  outgoing mortar rounds (82mm) and 22 caused by impacts of mortar rounds (80mm and 122mm), at locations 2-4km ranging from south-east to south of its position. On the evening of the following day, whilst in Svitlodarsk, the SMM heard 106 explosions, 54 of which were assessed as caused by impacts of artillery rounds (122mm and 152mm) and five caused by impacts of mortar rounds (120mm) all 2-4km south-east of its position.

The SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol), facing north-east, recorded, between 20:22 and 22:04 of 22 August, four rocket-assisted projectiles and 15 burst of direct tracers, all fired from east to west/north-west, and subsequently four rocket-assisted projectiles fired from west-south-west to north-north-east and one undetermined explosion. The camera also recorded, between 02:17 and 05:00 of 23 August, 74 undetermined explosions at an undetermined distance to the north-north-east. Between 19:49 on 23 August and 02:32 on 24 August, the camera in Shyrokyne recorded seven projectiles fired from east to west followed by one projectile and one illumination flare both fired from west to east, and four projectiles fired from west to east, at an undetermined distance to north-north-east and north of its location.

In Luhansk region the SMM recorded twice as many explosions on 23 August (over 140) and thrice as many explosions on 24 August (over 200) compared with 22 August (60). Whilst in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk) between 20:20 and 22:53 of 22 August, the SMM heard 142 explosions accompanied with bursts of small-arms and heavy-machine-gun fire: eight explosions were assessed as caused by mortar rounds (82mm) and 102 explosions by automatic-grenade launcher, recoilless gun (SPG-9) or rocket-propelled grenade (RPG-7) fire. The SMM heard 14 explosions assessed as caused by outgoing mortar rounds (122mm) approximately 700m south-west of its position and shortly after heard 14 explosions assessed as caused by impacts of the same mortar rounds 3.5-5km south of its position. Prior to the first 14 explosions recorded, the SMM saw three trucks (GAZ66) towing three mortars (9B11, 120mm) arriving at a location approximately 700m south-west of the SMM’s position.

Whilst in “LPR”-controlled Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, 50km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard, between 00:02 and 03:28 on 24 August, 89 undetermined explosions at locations 1.5-25km from its position, ranging from south to west. In the late morning of 24 August, positioned south of government-controlled Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard two undetermined explosions 15km north, followed by 30 explosions of automatic-grenade launcher fire and 11 explosions caused by impacts of mortar rounds all 3km south-west of its position. Near government-controlled Lopaskyne (23km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 27 undetermined explosions 5km south of its position.

The SMM followed up on reports of civilian casualties and observed the results of shelling and analysed craters on both sides of the contact line. On 22 August, in government-controlled Popasna (69km west of Luhansk), the SMM observed one fresh crater next to an inhabited house 2m from its gate and assessed it as caused by a recoilless gun (SPG-9, 73mm) round fired from an easterly direction. The SMM saw two shattered windows facing north-west and approximately 200 holes in a metal fence. The SMM also analysed a fresh crater, concluding that it had been caused by a recoilless gun (SPG-9, 73mm) round fired from an easterly direction. The SMM assessed that the projectile had hit the electricity pole next to a house causing a break in its power supply.

In government-controlled Hranitne (60km south of Donetsk) the SMM analysed seven fresh craters and assessed them as caused by 152mm artillery rounds fired from east-north-easterly (five) and east-south-easterly (two) directions. All craters were located on eastern and southern parts of a military compound in a former factory. The SMM saw that four military trucks had sustained shrapnel damage including slashed tires, and the walls inside the compound had been pierced by shrapnel. Four civilians (two male, two female aged 50) told the SMM that they had heard explosions caused by both impacts and outgoing rounds.

In government-controlled Solodke (33km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed seven impacts, all within or near an agricultural compound used for grain storage, located 200m from a building used by Ukrainian Armed Forces. The SMM saw grass and hay around and inside the compound still burning upon its arrival. The SMM analysed four craters, concluding that they had resulted from 152mm artillery rounds fired from a north-easterly direction. The SMM also noted a severely damaged section of the roof and assessed that a round from an undetermined weapon had penetrated the roof before impacting on the grain inside.

In “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi district (15km south-west of Donetsk city), accompanied by a Russian Federation Armed Forces officer at the JCCC, the SMM observed three fresh craters and assessed them as caused by mortar (82mm or higher calibre) rounds. The first crater was found on the west-facing wall of a brick kindergarten building just below the roof. Crater analysis indicated the direction of fire to have been from a south-westerly direction. At the second site, the SMM saw a crater on the west-facing wall of a brick house and shrapnel damage to neighbouring trees, tarmac and a car parked nearby. The SMM assessed that a mortar round had been fired from a direction ranging from south-west to north-west. At the third site, the SMM observed that an outdoor doghouse – located in the garden 5m east of an inhabited house – had been completely destroyed and the body of a dog – still chained to the doghouse with multiple penetrating wounds throughout its body – lying nearby. The SMM assessed that a mortar round fired from an undetermined direction had directly hit the doghouse. Several residents separately told the SMM that they had heard shelling on the night of 22 August.

In Novooleksandrivka (65km west of Luhansk), the SMM saw a mortar shell (82mm) lying which it assessed as remained unexploded on the ground 60m north-east of a house. The SMM also assessed that it had been fired from south-easterly direction. A resident (a man aged 50) told the SMM that the round had landed four nights prior.

In Stanytsia Luhanska, the SMM observed 11 fresh craters – one was on an asphalt road located 60m of the “LPR” northernmost forward position, another one on an asphalt road between “LPR” positions on the bridge, and the other nine around the “LPR” position in the vicinity of the Prince Igor Monument. Analysis indicated that all craters were caused by automatic grenade launcher (AGS-17) rounds fired from a north-easterly direction. The SMM also observed six relatively fresh craters north of the same “LPR” position and assessed that three had been caused by mortar (82mm) rounds fired from a north-westerly direction and another three had been caused by automatic grenade launcher (AGS-17) rounds fired from a north-easterly direction. In addition, south of the same “LPR” position, the SMM saw two rounds from armoured personnel carrier (APC; BMP-1) cannon (73mm) which it assessed as unexploded.

In government-controlled Zolote-4 (60km north-west of Luhansk), a man (in his late twenties) told the SMM that his mother (aged 58) had been hit by a bullet around 22:00 on 22 August, when she was lying on a bed in her bedroom. He added that she had died at 22:20 as a bullet striking her right arm had penetrated her chest. According to the interlocutor, he called emergency services, but they refused to come to the village due to the ongoing fighting in the area. The SMM observed that the window of her bedroom facing south-south-west sustained damage which it assessed as caused by a bullet passing through double window panes. Subsequently, at the government checkpoint Zolote-4 the SMM saw 30 residents (mostly middle-aged women) emotionally arguing with 20 Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers about the previous night’s shooting incident that allegedly resulted in the death of a woman. During its observation, the SMM heard seven bursts of assault-rifle fire 500-600m south of its position and shortly later most of the people started dispersing.

On 24 August, at the Avdiivka central railway station, the SMM observed that a four-story station building had a large hole on the south-east-facing wall of the first floor, seven windows shattered, portions of the roof fallen off and the front entrance doors blown off. The SMM assessed that a 122mm artillery round fired from an easterly direction had directly hit the building. The SMM also saw a fresh crater on a railway track and assessed to have been caused by a 122mm artillery round fired from an easterly direction. The SMM observed some electrical lines above the train track sustained damage. According to Ukrainian Armed Forces officer at the JCCC, shelling had occurred the previous night.

In government-controlled Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk), the SMM observed eight craters –  one crater was located on the road, two on a pathway leading to a Ukrainian Armed Forces facility on the top of the hill, four within 10m from a house and assessed them as caused by 122mm artillery rounds. Analysis of craters indicated the direction of fire (seven out of eight) to have been from the east. The SMM saw that a fence around a farm and two storage sheds had been destroyed and four buildings had sustained shrapnel damage to three roofs, walls and windows.  Residents told the SMM that the shelling had occurred during the night of 23 August.

On 24 August, in government-controlled Krymske (42k north-west of Luhansk), the SMM conducted analysis on two fresh craters close to the buildings of the former summer children’s camp, currently occupied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, concluding that 152mm artillery rounds – fired from an easterly direction – had caused them. In government-controlled Popasna (69km west of Luhansk), the SMM observed nine fresh craters which, an accompanying Ukrainian Armed Forces officer at the JCCC said were the result from shelling on the night of 23 August. Four craters were assessed as caused by 152mm artillery rounds (two fired from a north-westerly direction, and one from a north-north-easterly direction and one from an easterly direction) and other five were assessed as caused by 122mm artillery rounds (two fired from an east-south-easterly direction, one from an easterly direction, one from an east-north-easterly direction and one from a southerly direction). The SMM observed that ten houses sustained shrapnel damage including: shattered windows, damaged walls, a destroyed toilet, a destroyed roof and a destroyed cellar entrance. A resident (a middle-aged man) told the SMM that his wife had suffered cuts on both her legs by shattered glass and was treated at a hospital. The SMM saw broken windows and glass debris heavily scattered throughout the house.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, in implementation of the Package of Measures and its Addendum, as well as the Minsk Memorandum.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines in government-controlled areas the SMM observed: one anti-tank guided missile launchers (9K111 Fagot, 120mm) mounted on one armoured personnel carrier (APC; BRDM-2) near Netailove (24km north-west of Donetsk) on 23 August; one anti-tank guided missile (9M113 Konkurs, 135mm) and one stationary surface-to-air missile system (SA-13 Strela-10, 120mm) in Zolote-1 (60km west of Luhansk) on 22 August; three mortars (9B11, 120mm) towed by three trucks (GAZ 66) in Stanytsia Luhanska on 22 August; two towed howitzer (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) in Solodke; 14 anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm), four of which were attached to four artillery tractors (ATS59) in Kremenivka (78km south of Donetsk) on 23August. Aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence on 23 August of six MLRS in “DPR”-controlled Chystiakove (formerly Torez, 62km east of Donetsk) and two MRLS together with 31 tanks, 36 towed howitzers/mortars, 117 armoured vehicles, 93 military-type trucks in “LPR”-controlled Buhaivka (37km south-west of Luhansk) .

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside assigned areas, the SMM observed: four self-propelled howitzers (2S5 Giatsint-S, 152mm) in government-controlled Azovske (22km south-west of Mariupol) on 22 August; 14 tanks (T-64) on 23 August  and 18 tanks (T-64) on 24 August  at a known training area near “LPR”-controlled Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk); 18 tanks (T-64) at a known training area near “LPR”-controlled Kruhlyk (31km south-west of Luhansk) both on 23 and 24 August; two mortars (2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) in a compound in government-controlled Krynychne (formerly Oktiabrske, 25km north-west of Mariupol) on 24 August; one tank (T-64) heading south near “LPR”-controlled Luhansk city on 24 August. Aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence on 23 August of three tanks near “DPR”-controlled Zelene (28km east of Donetsk) and 77 tanks and six towed howitzers in six separate locations near “DPR”-controlled Chystiakove (formerly Torez).

The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage does not comply with the criteria set out in the 16 October 2015 notification. In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal line the SMM saw: 12 self-propelled howitzers (2S1Gvozdika, 122mm) and 21 towed howitzers (15 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm and six D-20, 152mm). The SMM also noted that five self-propelled howitzers (2S1Gvozdika, 122mm) and five towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) missing as it observed previously. In addition, the SMM noted that one of those areas continued to be abandoned with six towed howitzers (2A65, 152mm) missing as first observed on 8 March, while it saw three towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) outside the area. In “DPR”-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal line the SMM saw: six multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS; BM-21 Grad, 122mm); six self-propelled howitzers (2S1Gvozdika, 122mm); 13 towed howitzers (D-20, 152mm) and three mortars (PM-38, 120mm). The SMM also observed following weapons as missing: 11 towed howitzers (D-20, 152mm), two of which were observed in other area, and 11 mortars (PM-38, 120mm), six of which were noted as missing for the first time.

The SMM revisited a Ukrainian Armed Force permanent storage site, whose location corresponded with the withdrawal lines and noted that 17 tanks (T-64) and three anti-tank guns (D-44, 85mm) continued to be missing. The SMM also revisited a “DPR” permanent storage site, whose location corresponded with the withdrawal lines and noted that all weapons previously verified as withdrawn to that site were present. Prior to its observation of the site, an armed man delayed the SMM for 30 minutes and took the names and ID card numbers of one of the SMM monitors.

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles (ACVs) and an anti-aircraft weapon in the security zone. In government-controlled areas the SMM recorded: one APC (BRDM-2) near Netailove (24km north-west of Donetsk); one APC (BRDM-2), two armoured tracked vehicle (MT-LB) – one mounted with a heavy machine-gun and another mounted with anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) in Zolote (60km west of Luhansk);  one APC (BMP-2) near Stanytsia Luhanska;  one light-armoured vehicle (Kraz cougar) mounted with a heavy machine-gun in Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk) all on 23 August; and one APC (BMP-3) near Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk); and two APCs(BMP-2) near  Stanytsia Luhanska. Aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence of seven armoured vehicles near “DPR”-controlled Prymorske (39km north-east of Mariupol) on 19 August; one armoured vehicle near “DPR”-controlled Styla (34km south of Donetsk) on 23 August; and one armoured vehicle near government-controlled Bohdanivka (41km south-west of Donetsk) on 23 August.

On 22 August, while the SMM was driving through the north-westernmost checkpoint in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) toward north-west it observed that one of armed men standing on the side of road was pointing a rocket-propelled grenade launcher at the SMM vehicles. The SMM vehicles passed by 5m away from him. The JCCC was informed.

The SMM observed the Ukrainian Armed Forces occupying school buildings. On 23 August, in government-controlled Azovske, the commander at the school told the SMM that the school had been closed for several years prior to their deployment. The head of the village council in Azovske, confirming that the school had closed before the conflict, stated that children from Azovske attended other schools in the area. On 24 August, in government-controlled Nikolske (former Volodarske,  21km north-west of Mariupol), a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer informed the SMM the building had been vacant ten years prior to their deployment in 2014, adding that they had received permission from the local authorities. Employees at the local administration confirmed this to the SMM and said that the two other schools in town are both fully operational.

The SMM followed up on information on a civilian allegedly injured by a mine in Zaitseve (50km north-east of Donetsk). On 24 August at Horlivka hospital no. 2 medical personnel informed the SMM that the patient had been admitted from Zaitseve on 23 August and had passed away on the operating table that day. At a morgue, the SMM saw the body of a man with a disfigured face and severe injuries to the chest. The SMM also followed up on information on civilians allegedly injured by unexploded ordnance (UXO) in government-controlled Chervonyi Zhovten (40km north of Luhansk).  Medical staff in a hospital in Petrivka (government-controlled 27km north of Luhansk) told the SMM that one man (aged 30) and two boys (aged 12 and 17) had been injured by an explosion in Chervonyi Zhovten on 20 August. The two injured boys stated that when they tried to burn something (described as an UXO) which they had found in a field, it exploded and injured them and the third victim who was sitting nearby, adding there are many more of such pieces of UXO in fields around the village.

On the road approximately 4km north of government-controlled Trokhizbenka (32km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM observed a new mine sign (wooden board with black letters stating “Mines” in Ukrainian language) approximately 15m on the west side of the road.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation along the administrative boundary line between the mainland and Crimea. At the Kalanchak, Chaplynka and Chonhar crossing points (67km, 72km and 167km south-east of Kherson, respectively), the SMM observed a calm situation. In the afternoon of 22 August, the SMM saw six artillery pieces at a compound in a collective farm located east of the road near the village of Kairka (88km south-east of Kherson and 7km north of the Chaplynka crossing point). The SMM saw no guards at the premises. In the morning hours of 24 August, the SMM saw an APC (BRDM-2) 1km north of the military position at Cape Kutara (125km south-east of Kherson) and an APC (BTR-70) moving towards Novomykolaivka (114km south-east of Kherson). In the afternoon at the southernmost border guard positions on the Ad Peninsula (98km south-east of Kherson) at the beginning of the dam, the SMM saw two directional type anti-personnel mines with what it assessed as an attached motion detector. The mines were not marked but were positioned beyond two improvised vehicle or tank-trap like obstacles. Later, north of the village of Pershokostiantynivka (91km south-east of Kherson), the SMM saw a stationary military convoy comprised of six-seven military truck, three of them towing  three mortars (120mm) covered in tarpaulins.

The SMM monitored celebrations for Independence Day: 600-700 people attended in Mariupol (102km south of Donetsk); 1,100 people attended in Kharkiv; 600 people attended in Odessa, 300 people attended in Mykolaivka city (118km north of Odessa); 1,500-2,000 people attended in Ivano-Frankivsk city; 3,000 people attended in Dnipro, 10,000 people attended in Zaporizhzhia (67km south of Dnipro), 10,000 people attended in Maiske (42km east of Dnipro); 500 people attended in Kherson city, 500 people attended in Mykolaiv city (60km north-west of Kherson) and 250 people attended in the city of Henichesk (175km south-east of Kherson). In Kyiv, the day was marked by a parade of some 4,000 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (including two small units marching under Polish and Lithuanian flags) and military hardware, which was attended by 25,000-30,000 people; former and current senior Ukrainian officials, diplomats and foreign dignitaries also attended. All events passed off peacefully and were overseen by law enforcement officers.

*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 to 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 to the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

• On 24 August, at a checkpoint at the north-western entrance to government-controlled Lobacheve (18km north-west of Luhansk, respectively), a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier prevented the SMM from proceeding further to Lobacheve, stating he had an order not to allow the SMM to pass. The JCCC was informed.

Conditional access:

• On 23 August, at a “DPR” permanent storage site, an armed man demanded the SMM sign the logbook which its members declined to do so.  After 30 minutes, he allowed the SMM access only after taking the names and ID card numbers of one SMM monitor.
• On 24 August at a checkpoint in “DPR”-controlled Olenivka (23km south-east of Donetsk), a man in military-type attire stopped the SMM and said it had to wait in a queue alongside civilians, referring to an instruction to do so. After having waited in a queue for approximately 45 minutes, the SMM was able to pass the checkpoint. The SMM was therefore forced to split the convoy of two vehicles. The JCCC was informed.

Other impediments:

• On 24 August in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk), the school director told the SMM that the “city administration” had instructed him not to speak with the SMM.

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