Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM observed a marked decrease in the level of violence in Donetsk region as compared to the previous reporting period. Luhansk region remained relatively calm. The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and noted the presence of armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone. The Mission observed the full re-opening of the Olenivka crossing route, and learned that people had stayed overnight at the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near Berezove. A man died from a heart attack while queuing at a checkpoint south of Stanytsia Luhanska. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted once, in an area not controlled by the Government...*

The SMM observed a similar level of violence in Donetsk region both on 21 and 22 May as compared to 20 May and observed an increase in the number of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region on 21 May and fewer on 22 May- compared to 20 May. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and noted the presence of armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone. The Mission followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis in government-controlled Avdiivka. Some 600 people gathered in front of the residence of SMM monitors in Donetsk city. It also monitored events on the occasion of the “Day of Heroes” in Lviv and a protest in Chernivtsi. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on eight occasions, exclusively in areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM observed a slightly higher level of violence in Donbas compared to the previous day. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and noted the presence of armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone. The Mission monitored the situation affecting civilians living near the contact line. It also monitored a demonstration in Kyiv. The operation of the Mission’s ceasefire monitoring equipment was stopped by armed “DPR” members in Donetsk city and its activities were restricted on five other occasions, mainly in areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM observed a similar level of violence in Donetsk region and recorded slightly fewer ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared to the previous day. The SMM conducted crater analysis in Stanytsia Luhanska. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and noted numerous armoured combat vehicles, as well as anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone. The Mission followed up on reports of casualties from a landmine incident in Pavlopil. It also monitored a protest in Lviv region. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on three occasions exclusively in areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM observed an increased level of violence in Donetsk region and similar levels in Luhansk region compared to the previous day. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and visited border areas not controlled by the Government. It followed up on reports of shelling in Krasnohorivka, and on reports of casualties due to an anti-tank mine explosion near Pavlopil. The SMM also monitored a protest by internally displaced persons in Odessa, and peaceful commemorations of the 1944 deportation of the Crimean Tatars in Kherson region and Kyiv city. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on two occasions...

The SMM observed a relatively low level of violence in Donbas. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and visited a border area not controlled by the Government. The SMM noted long queues at checkpoints and monitored the situation affecting civilians living near the contact line. It followed up on reports of shelling in “DPR”-controlled Dokuchaievsk and on reports of casualties due to an explosion in Donetsk city. The SMM also monitored the situation of IDPs. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on three occasions...

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....*