Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission observed damage caused by shelling in government-controlled Vynohradne. It continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its movement in the three areas.* The SMM monitored the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission observed military presence in areas frequented by civilians. The SMM monitored gatherings outside courts in Kyiv and Odessa.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period, with most of the violations recorded around Debaltseve and in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations but fewer explosions compared with the previous day. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and damage to civilian infrastructure on the eastern outskirts of Mariupol, in Pikuzy, in Troitske, and damage to a school in Stanytsia Luhanska.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period, with most of the violations recorded in areas east and north-east of Mariupol. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous day. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Dokuchaievsk and shelling north of Sakhanka. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* It monitored two border areas currently not under government control. It monitored repair works to essential infrastructure. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. In Kyiv the Mission monitored two protests in front of the Russian Federation Embassy...

At 10:53hrs on 27 December, an SMM patrol comprised of six SMM members in two armoured vehicles arrived at 3.5km south-south-west of the centre of Kominternove village (92km south of Donetsk, 23km north-east of Mariupol) from “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Zaichenko (90km south of Donetsk), escorted by armed “DPR” members and a Russian Federation representative of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (accompanied by a media representative). There, the SMM started monitoring on foot and found three craters in an agricultural – not cultivated – field...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with 31 October. Violations were observed in areas north-east of Mariupol and between Debaltseve and Svitlodarsk. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with 31 October. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* The SMM continued to follow up on reports of shelling. It monitored two border areas currently not under government control. The SMM monitored a peaceful protest in Kyiv...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with 30 October, although it recorded over 40 explosions assessed as artillery rounds in Horlivka. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations (57 explosions assessed as artillery rounds) compared with 30 October. It continued to follow up on reports of civilian casualties in Makiivka. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* The SMM monitored a number of heavy weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. It monitored five border areas currently not under government control. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure...

At 10:25hrs on 24 December, an SMM patrol arrived in Kominternove (92km south of Donetsk, 23km north-east of Mariupol) from the village’s eastern entrance, escorted by armed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”) members. For the last two days, the SMM had attempted to reach the village to follow up on reports about the presence of armed “DPR” members, but had not been able to do so due to security concerns and the restriction to its freedom of movement imposed by armed personnel (see SMM Daily Reports 23 December and 24 December 2015)...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations on 29 October compared with the day before, followed by a decrease on 30 October. In Luhansk region, the SMM also recorded more ceasefire violations on 29 October compared with the day before, and a decrease on 30 October. It followed up on reports of civilian casualties and shelling in Makiivka. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* Repairs to essential infrastructure in areas east of Mariupol, enabled by SMM facilitation and monitoring of adherence to the ceasefire, were interrupted by firing in the area. The SMM observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines. The SMM observed a march in Lviv...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, mostly in areas around Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport and Svitlodarsk. In Luhansk region, the SMM also recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, mostly in areas around Horlivka, Avdiivka-Yasynuvata and Svitlodarsk, as well as east and north-east of Mariupol...