Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 14 September 2016

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (including approximately 670 explosions) compared with the previous reporting period (which included 275 explosions). In Luhansk region the SMM recorded 27 explosions, compared with eight during the previous reporting period. Near government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska, the SMM heard an uncontrolled detonation just over 100m north-north-west of its position. The Mission followed up on reports of non-civilian casualties in Zaitseve and conducted crater analysis in Makiivka and Sakhanka. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and observed the reinforcement of positions on both sides of the contact line. The SMM monitored four border areas currently not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation along the administrative boundary line between the mainland and Crimea. In Kyiv the Mission monitored a public gathering by members of a medical workers labour union.

The SMM recorded the highest number of ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region in September, including approximately 670 explosions. The SMM recorded a particularly high number of explosions in the greater Horlivka area and the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport triangle.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM heard 128 explosions over two hours before midnight on 13 September, namely: 53 explosions assessed as impacts of 120mm mortar rounds, six explosions assessed as impacts of 122mm artillery rounds, 27 explosions assessed as outgoing rounds of 122m artillery fire, 26 explosions assessed as outgoing rounds of 152mm artillery fire and 16 explosions assessed as tank rounds, all 5-6km south-west of its location. Later the same night, while in government-controlled Bakhmut (formerly Artemivsk, 67km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 58 explosions assessed as caused by artillery rounds of an unknown calibre 10-12km south-east of its location. Starting at midnight and into the early morning hours, while in government-controlled Svitlodarsk, the SMM heard approximately 100 explosions assessed as impacts of mortar rounds of an unknown calibre 15km north-west of its location and 40 explosions assessed as a mixture of outgoing mortar rounds and impacts of mortar rounds of an unknown calibre 3-5km east of its location.

Whilst in Donetsk city centre on the night of 13-14 September the SMM heard approximately 200 undetermined explosions over a three-hour period 8-12km north-west of its location. Over the same time period, the SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north-west of Donetsk) recorded 12 explosions assessed as impacts of unknown rounds and a two-minute exchange of continuous small arms fire, all 4-6km east-south-east of its location. The following morning and over the course of the day, the SMM camera in Avdiivka recorded 15 explosions assessed as impacts of unknown rounds, six undetermined explosions and six outgoing rounds of recoilless gun (SPG-9) fire, all 2-7km east-south-east of its location.

Whilst in government-controlled Mariupol (102km south of Donetsk) on the night of 13-14 September the SMM heard seven undetermined explosions at an unknown distance north-east of its location. Positioned in government-controlled Sopyne in the afternoon, the SMM heard ten undetermined explosions north-east of its position. Later in the afternoon, the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded 20 explosions assessed as outgoing artillery rounds of an unknown calibre 2km north-north-west of its location. In the evening, while in Mariupol, the SMM heard seven undetermined explosions assessed as artillery rounds at an unknown distance east of its location.

Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Olkhovatka and Kamianka (58 and 52km north-east of Donetsk, respectively) the SMM heard a total of 49 undetermined explosions approximately 15-22km south-west of its respective positions.

In Luhansk region the SMM also recorded an increase in ceasefire violations, including 27 explosions, compared with eight the previous day. Positioned in an “LPR”-controlled area just south of the bridge south of government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard an explosion assessed as an uncontrolled detonation in a forested area on the northern side of the Siverskyi Donets river, just over 100m north-north-west of its position (see SMM Spot Report 15 September). On the bridge, on the northern side of the river, a number of civilians pointed out shrapnel to the SMM that they said had landed just after the explosion. The pieces were still hot and the SMM assessed them as shrapnel from an anti-personnel mine (OZM-72). Positioned in an “LPR”-controlled area just south of the bridge near government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk), the SMM heard ten undetermined explosions more than 20km north of its position, assessed as part of a live-fire exercise at a known training area outside of the security zone.

The SMM followed up on reports of civilian and non-civilian casualties and conducted crater analysis. In Horlivka the SMM visited a morgue with a Russian Federation Armed Forces officer at the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) on 13 September. The SMM observed the bodies of three men (50-65 years old). Two of them showed signs of serious injuries from shrapnel and the SMM could not see any visible injuries on the third body. The JCCC officer told the SMM that the men had been delivered to the morgue from Zaitseve (50km north-east of Donetsk) after shelling in the area earlier in the day. Personnel at the morgue told the SMM that the deceased had been wearing military-type clothing and boots when they were brought to the morgue. On the same day, a female “DPR” member from Zaitseve told the SMM that three “DPR” members had died at a checkpoint between government-controlled parts of Zaitseve and the neighbourhood of Zhovanka in Zaitseve on the same day.

In the western outskirts of “DPR”-controlled Makiivka (12km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM observed three fresh craters. At the first site, the SMM was unable to make an assessment as the crater had been disturbed by equipment set-up by Russian Federation Armed Forces officers at the JCCC and “DPR” members for crater analysis. The SMM noted that a car and a garage had been completely destroyed by the impact. A female resident (47 years of age) told the SMM that she had been released from the hospital after receiving first aid for injuries suffered from the shelling. Medical personnel at a hospital confirmed that the woman had been injured. The second crater was located approximately 45m from a house but the SMM did not see damage to the building. The SMM assessed that the impact had been caused by a 120mm mortar round fired from a north-westerly direction. The third crater observed by the SMM was located approximately 20m from a house and the SMM noted damage to at least three houses on the street, including shrapnel damage to walls and a metal gate and broken windows. The SMM assessed that the crater had been caused by a 120mm mortar round fired from a westerly direction. The SMM observed damage to civilian buildings at three other sites. At the first site, the SMM noted that an impact had completely destroyed the roof of a residential building. Repair work to a damaged gas pipeline and electrical wiring was ongoing. The SMM assessed the damage to have been caused by a 122mm artillery round fired from an undetermined direction. At another site, the SMM observed an impact to the roof of a school building: approximately 250 square metres of the ceiling of three class rooms was damaged, more than 40 windows were broken and there was damage to the furniture and the heating system. The SMM assessed the damage to have been caused by a 122mm artillery round fired from an undetermined direction. The director of the school told the SMM that pupils had been attending the school. At the third site, the SMM observed severe damage to the roof of a house. The SMM noted that the impact was located on the south-facing side of the building. The SMM assessed the damage to have been caused by a 122mm artillery round fired from a westerly or north-westerly direction. A female resident of the house told the SMM that her husband was in the hospital with a serious shrapnel wounds to his legs. At a hospital, medical personnel told the SMM that the man was in serious condition and that his leg may have to be amputated. Multiple residents separately told the SMM that the shelling had taken place after midnight on 14 September.

The SMM observed a fresh crater just north of “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka (24km north-east of Mariupol), more than 500m from the nearest house. It assessed the crater as having been caused by a 122mm artillery shell fired from a westerly direction. The SMM observed a severed power line which it assessed as having been cut by shrapnel from the impact. Residents in “DPR”-controlled Bezimenne (30km east of Mariupol) and Sakhanka separately told the SMM that the area had been shelled on the previous night.

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

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed four multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS; BM-21 Grad, 122mm) near government-controlled Ivanivka (59km south-west of Donetsk).

Beyond the withdrawal lines but outside assigned areas near government-controlled Lysychne (40km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed one tank (T-72). Aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence of five MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) near government-controlled Kramatorsk (83km north of Donetsk) on 12 September.

The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage does not comply with criteria set forth in the 16 October 2015 notification. In “DPR”-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines the SMM noted the presence of nine mortars (PM-38, 120mm), two of which were observed for the first time; and 13 towed howitzers (D-30, 122mm), seven of which were observed for the first time. The SMM continued to note as missing three mortars (PM-38, 120mm) and four towed howitzers (D-30, 122mm).

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone. In government-controlled areas the SMM saw one armoured personnel carrier (APC; BTR-3 or 4) near Karlivka (25km north-west of Donetsk) and two infantry fighting vehicles (IFV; BMP-1 and BMP-2) near Yasnobrodivka (24km north-west of Donetsk) on 13 September. On 14 September, near Netailove (22km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed two IFVs (BMP-2) and near Stanytsia Luhanska, one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23).

Positioned 2km north of the power plant near Shchastia, the SMM observed three jets flying from the north-east to the south-east and at the same time one flying from the south-east to the north-east. The SMM assessed that their flight paths were roughly along the Ukrainian-Russian Federation border.

The SMM observed the reinforcement of positions on both sides of the contact line. At the northern exit of government-controlled Sartana (15km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM observed five chicanes of concrete blocks and noted that new trenches were being dug. At the first Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint south of Stanytsia Luhanska the SMM noted a truck with ammunition boxes and observed that large concrete blocks were being used to reinforce the checkpoint. Near “LPR”-controlled Dovhe (22km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM observed armed men digging out six new positions approximately two to three metres wide, just south of the main road leading to “LPR”-controlled Slovianoserbsk (28km north-west of Luhansk).

The SMM noted that an armed man at a “DPR”-checkpoint in Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, 29km north-east of Mariupol) had a new patch with the Russian Federation flag on his right shoulder. Underneath the flag the letters “GBR” were written in Russian, which the man said referred to “rapid reaction group”.

The SMM monitored four border areas currently not under government control. While present at the border crossing point near Marynivka (78km south-east of Donetsk) for just under one hour, the SMM observed one bus and four cars in line to leave Ukraine and one covered commercial truck exiting Ukraine. All vehicles had Ukrainian licence plates. At the border crossing point near Uspenka (73km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed 29 cars (12 with Russian Federation licence plates, one with “DPR” “plates” and the remainder with Ukrainian licence plates) and 62 covered commercial trucks (three with German licence plates, one with Belarussian and one with Russian Federation ones; the remainder had Ukrainian licence plates) while at the border area for 25 minutes. At the border crossing point in Dovzhanskyi (84km south-east of Luhansk) the SMM observed two buses, four cars and 22 commercial trucks (most were empty), all with Ukrainian licence plates waiting to leave Ukraine. While present for 30 minutes the SMM also observed eight cars, four covered commercial trucks and two buses (of which five had Russian Federation licence plates, one had Georgian ones, and the remainder Ukrainian) join the queue. Approximately three vehicles were exiting Ukraine every seven minutes. An “LPR” member told the SMM that commercial trucks were usually empty when they exited Ukraine and usually full of goods when they entered. At the Astakhove (81km south of Luhansk) border crossing point the SMM observed that an artificial earth wall had been erected along the border and noted the presence of a six-metre wide and a several-metre deep ditch on the other side of the wall. No one was present at the site.

At a border crossing point controlled by the Government near Prosiane (117km north of Luhansk), the SMM observed a calm situation with not a single car or pedestrian crossing the border during one hour that the SMM was present in the area.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation along the administrative boundary line between the mainland and Crimea. At coastal villages to the west and south-west of Perekopska gulf and between Serhiivka and Syvashivka (124 and 145km south-east of Kherson, respectively), the SMM noted a calm situation. While passing through the railway station in Myrne (78km south-east of Kherson) the SMM observed Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel unloading dozens of concrete anti-tank obstacles.

In Kyiv the SMM monitored a public gathering organized by the Free Trade Union of Medical Workers in front of the Embassy of the United States of America. Approximately 80 people (men and women of different ages) were calling for greater communication and co-operation with the acting Minister of Health Care (a dual citizen of the United States of America and Ukraine) and for more transparency in the work of the Ministry. Among the 39 points delivered to the Ambassador of the United States of America was a demand for the payment of late salaries by the Ministry. In Ivano-Frankivsk a representative of the regional branch of the Trade Union of Medical Workers told the SMM that there was a delay in the payment of the salaries for thousands of medical workers in the region, information which had been confirmed earlier in the week by the head of the health protection department of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration. The union representative told the SMM that by the end of the year the delay would equal 2.5 months of salary for every medical worker. He went on to say that in the current situation medical workers accept “charity donations” from patients. The regional head of the state sponsored National Service for Mediation and Peaceful Resolution told the SMM that he was advising the aforementioned trade union on the rights of its members regarding the ongoing delay of salaries for medical workers in the region.

*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.

Besides the abovementioned general restrictions, the SMM was not subject to any specific restriction of its freedom of movement.

[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.