Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous day, with violence focusing around Donetsk city, Yasynuvata and Svitlodarsk. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded two ceasefire violations in one location. It followed up on reports of shelling in Novooleksandrivka, Kalynove and Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, observing weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines and the presence of armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone, including in residential areas. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure in Pryshyb, Shchastia, and Krasnyi Lyman. It monitored also the situation of internally displaced persons in Odessa.

The SMM recorded a similarly high number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on 9 July compared to 8 July and fewer ceasefire violations on 10 July, respectively compared to 9 July, with violence focusing around Donetsk city and the Avdiivka/Yasynuvata area. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations on both 9 and 10 July, respectively compared to 8 July, noting a sharp increase of violence on the night of 9 July in Stanytsia Luhanska. It followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis in Marinka, Lebedynske, Sakhanka, Stanytsia Luhanska, and Horlivka. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable the transfer of the body of a deceased person near Shchastia. Armed “LPR” members repeatedly denied the SMM access to Stanytsia Luhanska bridge...

The SMM recorded a similarly high number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous reporting period, with violence focusing around Donetsk city and the Avdiivka/Yasynuvata area. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. It followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis in Heorhiivka, Marinka, Popasna and Novooleksandrivka. The Mission continued to observe withdrawal of heavy weapons, observing weapons in violation of the withdrawal line and the presence of armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The SMM faced restrictions to its freedom of movement.* The Mission followed up on reports about an explosion in Kharkiv.

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous reporting period. Most of the fighting was recorded in the areas around Donetsk city, Yasynuvata, Horlivka and Shyrokyne. In Luhansk region for the third consecutive day, the SMM continued to record a relatively high number of overnight ceasefire violations in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska, including 237 explosions. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis on both sides of the contact line, in Sakhanka, Zaichenko and Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure in Slovianoserbsk, Pryshyb and Shchastia. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission monitored a border area not controlled by the Government and encountered a restriction of its freedom of movement there; overall, the Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on five occasions, four of which were in areas not controlled by the Government...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous reporting period, with violence focused around Donetsk city, Yasynuvata, and Shyrokyne. In Luhansk region for the fourth consecutive day, the SMM continued to record a high number of overnight ceasefire violations in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis in Petrovskyi district of Donetsk city, in Kamianka and in Stanytsia Luhanska. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure in Slovianoserbsk, Pryshyb and Krasnyi Lyman. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM noted long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. Its freedom of movement was restricted on three occasions, including at a border crossing point, all in areas outside government control. The SMM followed up on reports of smuggling of grenades and explosives in Kharkiv region’s border area. In Odessa it observed three Polish citizens blocked inside a hotel by self-defence activists...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations compared to the previous reporting period, with violence focused around Svitlodarsk, Avdiivka, Yasynuvata, and Shyrokyne. In Luhansk region, however, for the first time in four days, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis in Horlivka, Vozdvyzhenka, and Novotoshkivske. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure in Shumy, Kirove, and near Pryshyb. The Mission monitored also the withdrawal of weapons, and observed a stockpile of MLRS rockets north of Mariupol. The SMM continued noting long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. Its freedom of movement was restricted on four occasions, all in areas outside government control.* The SMM observed the arrival of the new Russian Federation contingent to the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) at a border crossing point in Kharkiv region...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded a slightly higher number of ceasefire violations including nearly 400 explosions, compared to the previous reporting period, with violence focused in the Avdiivka/Yasynuvata area, and Shyrokyne. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded a high number of ceasefire violations compared to none during the previous reporting period, noting a sharp increase of violence, including over 550 explosions on the night of 14 July in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis in Marinka, Maiorsk, Petrovskyi district of Donetsk city and in Stanytsia Luhanska. It followed up on reports about civilian casualties in Staromykhailivka and Zaitseve. Armed “LPR” members repeatedly denied the SMM access to Stanytsia Luhanska bridge...*

Over the weekend in Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, compared to 15 July, with violence focused in the Avdiivka/Yasynuvata area and the northern outskirts of Donetsk as well as the Shyrokyne area. In Luhansk region, the Mission also recorded fewer ceasefire violations than on 15 July, with the only violence noted taking place near Shchastia. The SMM conducted crater analysis and followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi district. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and facilitated the recovery of the body of a dead man. It monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and encountered restrictions on two occasions. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on six other occasions, five of which occurred in areas not controlled by the Government...*

The SMM recorded a slightly higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to 17 July, including more than 200 explosions. In Luhansk region, for the second consecutive day, all of the ceasefire violations observed by the SMM occurred near government-controlled Shchastia during the night, and the number of ceasefire violations recorded was lower compared to the night of 16 July. The SMM conducted crater analysis on both sides of the contact line, in Marinka and Kominternove. The SMM confirmed that an SMM national staff member, who had been temporarily out of reach, was safe. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable the exchange of bodies across the contact line. The SMM followed up on the temporary closure of the government checkpoint at the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, the only authorized route for crossing the contact line in Luhansk region. It monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and encountered restrictions on two occasions. It faced three other freedom-of-movement restrictions, exclusively in areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM observed the arrival of the new Russian Federation Armed Forces personnel to the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) at a border crossing point in Kharkiv region...

The SMM noted an increase in ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, including more than 600 explosions, of which approximately 400 were recorded by the SMM camera in Shyrokyne. In Luhansk region, the SMM noted an increase in ceasefire violations recorded, including more than 150 explosions, primarily near government-controlled Lobacheve and Stanytsia Luhanska. In government-controlled areas, and in violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed four loaded MLRS near Kalynove, four MLRS and one towed howitzer in Makedonivka, and two self-propelled howitzers near Tarasivka. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis on both sides of the contact line in Avdiivka and Sakhanka. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure in government-controlled Shchastia and non-government-controlled Slovianoserbsk and Zolote 5. Its freedom of movement was restricted on seven occasions, five of which were in areas outside government control, near the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge...

The SMM recorded a similarly high number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, with violence focused in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area, northern Donetsk city and Horlivka. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded an increase in the total number of recorded ceasefire violations, all of which occurred around Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, but noted a decrease in the total number of explosions. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and injuries to civilians in Popasna, Avdiivka and Yasynuvata, and of damage to power lines leading to a water filtration station. It monitored the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission faced a restriction while monitoring a border area not controlled by the Government; its freedom of movement was restricted on four additional occasions, three of which were in areas outside government control.* In Kyiv, the SMM followed up on an explosion in a vehicle that led to the death of a journalist and monitored a demonstration against increases in utility rates...

The SMM noted a decrease in ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, particularly in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata and Shyrokyne areas. In Luhansk region, however, the SMM noted an increase in ceasefire violations recorded, with the majority near Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and civilian injuries and conducted crater analysis on both sides of the contact line, in Avdiivka, Horlivka, Andriivka, Kominternove, Zolote, and at the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. The SMM was informed that the downed electrical power lines supplying the water filtration plant near Yasynuvata were repaired. Its freedom of movement was restricted on six occasions, five of which were in areas outside government control, including at a checkpoint in Horlivka.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, particularly in the Yasynuvata and Shyrokyne areas. In Luhansk region, the SMM noted fewer ceasefire violations, the majority of which during the night near Stanytsia Luhanska. The Mission noted a heavy weapon in violation of the withdrawal line and saw for the first time two anti-tank mines outside Molodizhne. The SMM conducted crater analysis in Semyhiria, Kodema and at the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. The Mission facilitated and monitored repair work in Pryshyb and Shchastia. Its freedom of movement was restricted on two occasions, in areas outside government control.*

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on 23 July compared to 22 July and more on 24 July compared to the previous day. On both 23 and 24 July, ceasefire violations occurred mostly at daytime and focused in Yasynuvata. In Luhansk region, the SMM noted a sharp increase in the level of violence on 23 July compared to 22 July and a relatively low number of ceasefire violations on 24 July. The SMM recorded no ceasefire violations in Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM followed up on reports of casualties and conducted crater analysis in Novooleksandrivka, Berdianske, Krasnohorivka, and Donetskyi. The SMM attempted to visit the proposed disengagement areas west of Petrivske, but could not do so due to the presence of mines. It observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal line and numerous armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The SMM observed new mine hazard signs in Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske. Its freedom of movement was restricted on nine occasions, all in areas outside government control, including a border area...

At 23:51 on 25 July 2016, while flying over government-controlled Avdiivka, approximately 600m north-west of the contact line and 12.5km north of Donetsk, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) experienced a loss of signals with the Ground Control Station and the SMM lost all communication with the UAV...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous day. The largest concentration of ceasefire violations was again recorded in the Yasynuvata-Avdiivka area. The SMM followed up on reports of casualties and conducted crater analysis in Novooleksandrivka, Kominternove, Novozvanivka and Avdiivka. The SMM observed a weapons system in violation of the respective withdrawal line, as well as armoured combat vehicles and an unmanned flying vehicle in the security zone. In Soledar, a representative from the JCCC did not facilitate the provision of security assurances for repair work on essential infrastructure. The SMM continued to note the presence of unexploded ordnance. It monitored two border areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on five occasions, including two episodes during which shots were fired at an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle, all in areas outside government control...

An SMM long-range UAV crashed near Avdiivka; Ukrainian Armed Forces recovered debris and handed them over to the SMM. The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, with less explosions noted in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area and none in the Shyrokyne area.

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous day. The largest concentration of ceasefire violations was recorded in the area north of Donetsk city centre and Svitlodarsk. The SMM conducted crater analysis in Dokuchaievsk and Novotoshkivske. Concerning the 25 July incidents with the SMM mini UAV, the Russian Federation Armed Forces representative to the JCCC told the SMM that those responsible had been identified and disciplinary measures had been taken. The Mission continued to observe heavy weapons in violation of respective withdrawal lines. The SMM could not access proposed areas for disengagement in Petrivske, and continued to note the presence of unexploded ordnance. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on four occasions, all in areas outside government control...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous day. The largest concentration of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region was recorded during night hours in the area of Horlivka and Svitlodarsk, while during the day the Donetsk city area was most kinetic. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Novoazovsk, shelling in Troitske, and conducted crater analysis in Novotoshkivske.

The SMM saw fresh tracks assessed as caused by an infantry fighting vehicle leading south from “DPR”-controlled Lukove (72km south of Donetsk). At 13:47, while following the tracks, it was stopped by two armed “DPR” members who blocked the road with a camouflaged-style jeep (vehicle #1) and pointed their guns at the SMM. They ordered the SMM to leave the area, which they did.

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous day. The largest concentration of ceasefire violations was recorded in the area north of Donetsk city centre, Yasynuvata, Horlivka and Svitlodarsk. The Mission continued to observe weapons in violation of respective withdrawal lines. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable the handover of bodies in Shchastia across the bridge; whilst positioned there, the SMM heard an explosion 80-100 metres north of its position.

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...

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...

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 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...

The SMM noted a similar number of ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk region compared to the day before. In Luhansk region the SMM noted an increase in recorded ceasefire violations compared to the previous day, with many concentrated around government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska and Trokhizbenka. The SMM analysed craters in Stanytsia Luhanska, Pobeda and Hnutove. It observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles and anti-tank missiles in the security zone. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian and military casualties. The SMM continued to observe queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. It monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and encountered one restriction. It faced another freedom-of-movement restriction, also in an area not controlled by the Government...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the day before including more than 520 explosions. In Luhansk region the SMM noted a decrease in recorded ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. On the night of 4 August, the SMM heard single shots of small-arms fire in close proximity to its base in Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov). The SMM analysed craters in Zaitseve, Luhanske and Novozvanivka. It observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line, and noted the absence of numerous weapons from permanent storage sites in government-controlled areas. The SMM followed up on reports of water and power supply cuts in areas of Avdiivka and Yasynuvata due to shelling. It faced four freedom-of-movement restrictions – two in government-controlled areas and two in areas not controlled by the Government...

On 6 August at 07:51hrs the SMM heard an explosion approximately 3.9km east of its location in Luhansk city...

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...

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...