Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations than during the previous day. The Mission followed up on civilian casualties in Kurakhove, and observed craters in and around Krasnohorivka, Svitlodarsk, Bohdanivka, Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove), Sakhanka and Horlivka. It noted the presence of tanks and towed howitzers at training areas, observed the presence of new mine signs and facilitated repair work to essential infrastructure. The SMM noted long lines at an entry-exit checkpoint near the contact line in Olenivka and monitored three border areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission observed a public gathering in Kyiv and monitored the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs). It faced two freedom-of-movement restrictions...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations during the daytime of 6 August and a lower number of violations during the night of that day, compared to the respective time period of 5 August. An increase in the number of recorded violations was noted during the daytime of 7 August with almost triple the number of explosions as compared to the previous period. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in the daytime of 6 August compared to the day before. No violations were recorded during the night of 6 August and the whole day of 7 August. The Mission followed up on civilian casualties in Avdiivka, Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi district and Yasynuvata, and conducted crater analysis in Petrovskyi district, Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove) and Sakhanka. It faced six freedom-of-movement restrictions, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM followed up on media reports about the closure of the three crossing points at the administrative boundary line between Kherson region and Crimea. On the morning of 6 August, the SMM heard an explosion 3.9km east of its location in Luhansk city and saw a severely damaged vehicle at the scene. On the late morning of 7 August, the SMM experienced an earthquake whilst in its location in Mariupol...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous day. The Mission recorded a significant level of fighting during the night of 5-6 August in Donetsk region. The SMM analysed craters in Krasnohorivka, Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove) and Sakhanka. It observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines in government-controlled areas. The Mission noted the absence of 12 towed howitzers from permanent storage sites in “LPR”-controlled areas. It faced four freedom-of-movement restrictions, all in areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM received concrete responses to recent incidents by the Ukrainian Armed Forces representative at the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination, but no such information regarding incidents that took place in areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM noted a decrease in the number of ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk region compared to the day before. In Luhansk the SMM noted an increase in recorded ceasefire violations on the day before, with many concentrated around “LPR”-controlled Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov). A peaceful protest was held outside the SMM’s base in Kadiivka. Later, at the same location, the SMM heard bursts of small-arms fire in the vicinity of their base and saw an individual running from the area. An armed man at a known Ukrainian Armed Forces position threatened the SMM at gunpoint in Lobacheve. The SMM analysed craters on both sides of the contact line. It observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. “LPR” members prevented the SMM from monitoring in border areas...

At 10:10 on 2 August, an armed man at a known Ukrainian Armed Forces position wearing military-style clothing with no markings stopped two SMM vehicles in government-controlled areas travelling east on the road from Lopaskyne (government-controlled, 24km north-west of Luhansk) to Lobacheve (government-controlled, 17km north-west of Luhansk)...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on 1 August compared to both 30 and 31 July, particularly with regard to explosions. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations than on 30 and 31 July combined. The SMM followed up on reports of casualties and analysed craters on both sides of the contact line. The Mission noted mines and mine hazard signs. The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The SMM facilitated repairs to essential infrastructure on both sides of the contact line in Shchastia, Krasnyi Lyman and Zolote. The SMM monitored two border areas not controlled by the Government and its access was restricted at one...

The SMM recorded a significant increase in the number of ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk region on 30 July compared to 29 July. A decrease in the number of recorded violations was noted on 31 July, though this figure was still higher than that recorded on 29 July. The SMM recorded a decrease in the number of ceasefire violations observed in Luhansk on 30 July compared to the day before. No violations were recorded on 31 July. Two SMM unmanned aerial vehicles came under small-arms fire on 30 July. The SMM analysed craters on both sides of the contact line. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The SMM monitored border areas not controlled by the Government on five occasions, and faced conditional access on two occasions. It faced freedom-of-movement restrictions, the majority of which were in areas not under government control...