Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM observed a relatively low level of violence in Donbas. The Mission observed the presence of hardware in the security zone. It monitored the situation of civilians at checkpoints near the contact line. The SMM visited border areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on three occasions on both sides of the contact line....*

The SMM observed a slightly higher level of violence in Donetsk region both on 14 and 15 May as compared to the previous two days and recorded a low number of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region on 14 May and none on 15 May. The Mission observed the presence of weapons and hardware in the security zone. It noted the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance. The SMM monitored the situation affecting civilians near the contact line and at checkpoints on both sides of the contact line. It visited border areas both in government- and non-government-controlled areas. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on three occasions on both sides of the contact line...*

In Donetsk region, the SMM noted an increase in the number of recorded ceasefire violations compared with the previous day. In Luhansk region it continued to note a low level of ceasefire violations. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair to essential infrastructure, and at one occasion “DPR” members prevented it from doing so. The Mission monitored the situation affecting civilians in areas near the contact line. It monitored an area close to the border not under government control. The Mission observed a protest in Kyiv...

In Donetsk region, the SMM noted a decrease in the number of recorded ceasefire violations compared with the previous day. In Luhansk region it continued to note a low level of ceasefire violations. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair to essential infrastructure. The Mission observed mine hazard signs near an entry-exit checkpoint and continued to observe the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance. It monitored an area close to the border not under government control and was prevented from monitoring in another*. The Mission monitored the situation affecting civilians in areas near the contact line...

In Donetsk region, the SMM noted a lower number of ceasefire violations compared with the previous day, with over 80 explosions recorded. In Luhansk region it noted a low level of violence with 16 explosions recorded. The Mission observed the presence of numerous weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines on 9 May military-style parades in Donetsk and Luhansk cities. The Mission observed 9 May commemorations across the country. Most of those events passed off peacefully with the strong presence of law enforcement, while in several occasions the SMM saw minor incidents of scuffles and altercations...

In Donetsk region, the SMM noted a lower number of ceasefire violations compared with the previous day, with over 120 explosions recorded. In Luhansk region it noted a low level of violence with five explosions recorded. The Mission observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. It continued to observe civilians travelling across the contact line. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on 12 occasions, including five denials of access, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM noted a similarly low number of ceasefire violations as the previous day, with 50 explosions recorded in Donetsk region and four in Luhansk region. The SMM observed firing incidents which were attributable to a live-fire exercise in an area outside of the security zone. It observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The Mission continued to observe civilians travelling across the contact line in both directions. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on both sides of the contact line...