Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM recorded a lower level of violence in Donetsk region over the weekend. In Luhansk region the SMM continued to register ceasefire violations in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska in the evening hours and registered similar numbers of explosions compared to the night of 15 April. The SMM followed up on allegations of shelling in areas near the contact line. It observed weapons in the security zone, and noted that weapons were absent from storage sites. The Mission monitored four areas and was denied access to one area on the border still outside government control. Both sides restricted the SMM’s freedom of movement*. The SMM saw a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint had been moved 3km closer to a “DPR” position...

SMM observed a marked increase in violence during this reporting period with over 4,000 ceasefire violations through the Donetsk region, 500 of which were explosions. The major hotspots of Avdiivka/Yasynuvata accounted for more than half of these ceasefire violations. In Luhansk the Mission noted fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous day. The SMM observed weapons in the security zone, and noted that weapons were absent from storage sites. The Mission observed long queues of civilians and vehicles waiting to cross at checkpoints. The SMM encountered a restriction of its freedom of movement in an area not controlled by the Government...

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous day. In Luhansk the SMM observed a higher number of ceasefire violations compared with the previous day. The SMM noted that weapons were absent from storage sites and observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. The Mission monitored the retrieval of bodies from unmarked gravesites. It observed the presences of mines. The SMM noted long lines at checkpoints along the contact line. The SMM monitored one border crossing point not controlled by the Government. Armed men restricted the SMM’s movement in areas not controlled by the Government in several instances and the SMM was restricted in one instance in a government-controlled area...

The SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with each of the previous two days. In Luhansk region a low number of ceasefire violations were recorded. The Mission observed live-fire exercises within the security zone. The SMM noted that weapons were absent from storage sites and holding areas. In Luhansk city the SMM observed a number of weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines. It observed craters and other impacts from shelling. The Mission visited one border crossing point in an area not controlled by the Government. It encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions in non-government-controlled areas.* The SMM observed a number of public gatherings in Odessa and Kyiv.

The SMM recorded a lower number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region over the weekend compared to the number recorded on Friday, although violations continued to be recorded in large numbers along the contact line. Fewer violations were recorded in Luhansk region. The Mission came under small-arms fire in the government-controlled part of Zaitseve. The SMM carried out crater analysis in a number of locations near the contact line. Weapons continued to be absent from holding sites. In Luhansk city the SMM observed a number of weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines. The Mission monitored non-government-controlled parts of the border, and it was denied access to one area. The freedom of movement of the SMM was restricted mainly in areas not under government control.* The SMM observed a number of violent clashes in Odessa...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a significantly higher number of ceasefire violations. In Luhansk region a low number of ceasefire violations were recorded. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and noted weapons in violation. It observed craters and other damage caused by shelling. The SMM noted that the only entry-exit checkpoint for civilians in Luhansk region, at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, was closed. The Mission visited two border crossing points in areas not controlled by the Government, despite denials of access in these areas. It encountered other freedom-of-movement restrictions in non-government-controlled areas.* The SMM monitored a court hearing and sentencing in Kyiv, as well as a public demonstration outside the Presidential Administration building...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a slightly higher number of ceasefire violations. In Luhansk region a low number of ceasefire violations were recorded. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and noted weapons missing from storage sites, as well as weapons in violation. The Mission visited two border crossing points in areas not controlled by the Government, despite denial of access to several border areas. It encountered other of freedom-of-movement restrictions in non-government-controlled areas.* An SMM vehicle was hit by a bullet and an SMM monitor was threatened at gunpoint...