Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

In Donetsk region, on 23 April the SMM observed a higher level of violence compared to the previous day, with nearly 500 explosions recorded. On 24 April, it recorded a significantly decreased number of ceasefire violations in comparison to the previous day, with less than 30 explosions recorded. In particular, a sharp decline of violence was noted in Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area, where the SMM did not record ceasefire violations save one explosion on 24 April. In Luhansk region, a single ceasefire violation was recorded from 23 to 24 April. The Mission conducted crater analysis on both sides of the contact line. It noted a number of weapons missing from permanent storage sites and holding areas. The SMM monitored four border areas not controlled by the Government; meanwhile its freedom of movement was restricted in two of these areas.

The SMM recorded a higher level of violence in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with both 16 and 17 April. The Mission followed up on allegations of shelling in areas near the contact line. It noted weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and others absent from storage sites. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. It observed long queues at checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission monitored one border area outside government control and was denied access to another. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted further in areas not controlled by the Government, including access to a site known as a heavy weapons holding area. The SMM was threatened by armed men in areas outside of Government control...

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...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. The SMM followed up on allegations of shelling in an area near the contact line. It observed weapons in the security zone, and noted that weapons were absent from storage sites. The Mission monitored two border areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM monitored a peaceful protest in Odessa...

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 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...