Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

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)...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, with most concentrated in areas north-east and east of Mariupol and in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, with most concentrated in areas north-east and east of Mariupol and in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region as in the previous reporting period, with many concentrated in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area and areas north-east and east of Mariupol...

The SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous day, whereas in Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous day. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and civilian casualties in “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; the SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians queuing at entry-exit checkpoints and observed a demonstration in Luhansk city against the deployment of an international armed mission...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including 150 and 127 explosions on 8 and 9 October, respectively, compared with 363 explosions recorded on 7 October. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded no ceasefire violations on 8 October and 47 explosions on 9 October, compared with 29 explosions on 7 October. The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties, an explosion and a shelling. The Mission monitored the withdrawal of weapons and saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. During the reporting period the Mission could not verify the status of disengagement in the Zolote and Petrivske areas due to restrictions to its access. On 9 October the SMM noted that no disengagement took place in the Stanytsia Luhanska area, where it also faced restrictions to its access. The Mission observed mine hazard signs and new UXO in the security zone, including near populated areas. The SMM monitored six border areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM noted a calm situation along the administrative boundary line between Kherson and Crimea...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including 363 explosions compared with the previous reporting period (848 explosions). In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including 29 explosions compared with nine during the previous reporting period, while 23 of the explosions were attributable to live-fire exercises outside the security zone. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; the SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* The SMM observed pullback of forces and hardware from the disengagement area both in Petrivske and Bohdanivka following the announcement by both Ukrainian and Russian Armed Forces representatives to the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) about the start of disengagement. The Mission monitored the withdrawal of weapons and saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. The SMM monitored the situation of internally displaced persons in Odessa...

The SMM recorded a significantly higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM followed up on reports of shooting in Marinka. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; the SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians living near the contact line and of civilians queuing at entry-exit checkpoints. The SMM visited border areas outside government control, as well as border areas in Chernihiv and Vinnytsia...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region as in the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the number of ceasefire violations recorded, all during daytime, increased significantly for the second consecutive day. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling in Makiivka. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; the SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians living near the contact line and of civilians queuing at entry-exit checkpoints. The SMM visited two border areas in Kharkiv. The Mission monitored the situation of internally displaced persons in Odessa and Donetsk regions...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with 3 October...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with 2 October...

The SMM noted an increase in the number of ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk region on 1 October followed by a decrease on 2 October...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including 255 explosions compared with 198 in the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, most assessed as live-fire exercise at a training area outside the security zone. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. The SMM noted progress in demining and removal of obstacles in Zolote. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement, including in the areas of Petrivske and Zolote, on both sides of the Shchastia bridge, as well as at a border area currently not under government control.* The SMM observed lack of water supply in several areas north of Luhansk. The Mission monitored the departure of internally displaced persons from Odessa towards areas not under government control in Donetsk region...

The SMM noted an increase in the number of ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It was restricted in its freedom of movement, including in the areas of Petrivske and Zolote. The SMM observed the presence of mines and saw demining being carried out. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians in areas near the contact line...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including 144 explosions, more than half of them recorded in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area, compared with 187 explosions in the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including six explosions, compared with one single violation in the previous reporting period. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process near Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske, and Zolote, and it noted a relatively calm situation. The Mission was restricted nine times in its freedom of movement, including on both sides of the Shchastia bridge and in the disengagement areas near Petrivske-Bohdanivka and Zolote-Pervomaisk. It was also blocked by a crowd at a “DPR” checkpoint near Horlivka. The Mission continued to facilitate and monitor repair works in Luhansk region. The SMM monitored one border area not controlled by the Government. In Odessa the SMM continued to monitor the security situation surrounding the protest against the mayor and followed up on an alleged arson attack on one of the protestors’ tents...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including 187 explosions compared with 24 in the previous reporting period, with most of them concentrated in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport triangle area. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded a single ceasefire violation (one burst) compared with the previous reporting period (five explosions). The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process near Petrivske, Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote and noted a calm situation. The Mission was restricted in its freedom of movement, including in disengagement areas near Petrivske and Zolote. The SMM monitored one border area currently not under government control...

Armed individuals guarding heavy weapons in Yurivka fire into the air as SMM tries to approach

The SMM recorded slightly more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including 24 and five explosions respectively (compared with 21 and one explosion on 25 September, respectively). The Mission monitored in the vicinity of disengagement areas of Petrivske, Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote and noted demining activity on both sides of the contact line. The SMM observed heavy weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and heavy artillery beyond withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line, and armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The SMM monitored the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance in populated areas. The Mission was restricted in its freedom of movement, including in disengagement areas near Petrivske and Zolote...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region both on 24 and 25 September, including 154 and 21 explosions, respectively, with almost all concentrated in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area, compared with 209 in the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the SMM noted a relatively calm situation, with one explosion recorded compared with ten in the previous reporting period. The SMM observed heavy weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The SMM followed up on reports of a civilian injured in Avdiivka and occupation of civilian buildings by armed formations in Yasynuvata. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians living near the contact line and of civilians at checkpoints. The Mission monitored three border areas currently not under government control. The Mission was restricted in its freedom of movement, including in disengagement areas near Petrivske and Zolote and noted a calm situation in the wider Petrivske, Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote areas. The SMM monitored commemoration events along the administrative boundary line between the mainland and Crimea...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk, including 209 explosions compared with 63 in the previous reporting period, with most of them concentrated in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded ten explosions compared with 29 in the previous reporting period. The Mission monitored two border areas currently not under government control. The SMM encountered restrictions to its freedom of movement, including in the disengagement areas near Petrivske and Zolote, and noted a calm situation in the wider Petrivske area. The SMM continued to monitor the anti-mayor protest in Odessa and observed a blockade at the Uzhhorod border crossing point...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including 63 explosions compared with 126 in the previous reporting period. Most of the recorded ceasefire violations occurred in the area of Yasynuvata-Avdiivka. The Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region (29 explosions compared with six). The SMM continued to observe the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines, including four multiple-launch rocket systems (Grad) near Ivanivka, and followed up on the presence of mines near populated areas. The SMM observed damages caused to houses and infrastructure in Nyzhnoteple. The Mission continued to facilitate and monitor repair works to essential infrastructure in Luhansk region. The SMM encountered restrictions to its freedom of movement including in disengagement areas near Petrivske and Zolote, and noted a calm situation in the wider Petrivske area...

The SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk, including 126 explosions compared with 38 in the previous reporting period...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period...

The SMM recorded significantly fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (including 35 explosions) compared with 18 September (which included 322 explosions). In Luhansk region the Mission recorded 11 ceasefire violations (no explosions), compared with none during 18 September. The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It observed four Uragan multiple-launch rocket systems in Rubizhne and the presence of armoured vehicles in the security zone. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians queuing at checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission facilitated repair work of water infrastructure and demining activities in Luhansk region. The SMM continued to monitor the situation at a school along the contact line. In Odessa it monitored the re-establishment of a protest against the mayor. The Mission encountered one restriction of its freedom of movement...

The SMM noted an increase in violence recorded in Donetsk region on both 17 and 18 September, including 246 and 322 explosions respectively, compared with 39 explosions recorded on 16 September...

The SMM noted a calmer security situation in Donetsk region, including 39 explosions compared with 425 during the previous reporting period...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region including 425 explosions compared with the previous reporting period (670 explosions). The SMM observed no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. It observed damage to civilian infrastructure in Donetsk region and facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line. The SMM observed the presence of unexploded ordnance and also followed up on an uncontrolled detonation near Stanytsia Luhanska bridge...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period...

The SMM recorded a decrease in ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with 11 September...

The SMM recorded a sharp increase of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on both 10 and 11 September, including 515 and 116 explosions respectively, compared with 36 explosions recorded in the previous period...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period...

The SMM recorded an increase in ceasefire violations, but a decrease in explosions in Donetsk region, 63 compared with 139 explosions in the previous reporting period...

The number of explosions recorded by the SMM in Donetsk region more than doubled (139) compared with the previous reporting period (62 explosions)...

The SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as confirmed the death of a woman from shelling in Shchastia on 30 August...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on 5 September, with five recorded explosions compared to 43 during the previous day...

The power to the SMM’s camera at the Oktiabr mine in Donetsk had been cut off and auxiliary equipment had been stolen...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (three explosions compared with 18) and also in Luhansk region (one explosion compared with eight) compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian injuries, conducted crater analysis in Shchastia and Kamianka, and observed damage from shelling to civilian infrastructure. The SMM monitored three border crossing areas, in Zhovtneve, Petrivka and Uspenka, and visited schools on both sides of the contact line. The SMM encountered impediments to its freedom of movement, including threats of violence against SMM members, all in areas outside of government control. The SMM continued to monitor a calm situation al ong the administrative boundary line between the mainland and Crimea. The SMM observed clashes between protestors and the dispersal of a public gathering in Odessa...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (18 explosions compared with 95 on 31 August) and also in Luhansk region...

The SMM recorded substantially fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (95 explosions compared with 520 on 30 August) but a much higher number of violations in Luhansk region (155 explosions compared with ten on 30 August). The SMM evacuated its forward patrol base in Shchastia during the night of 30 August due to mortar rounds assessed as landing close to its base; the SMM returned to the base during the day of 31 August. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian casualties and observed numerous cases of damage to civilian property when conducting shelling assessments in Krasnohorivka, Horlivka, Lobacheve, Raivka, Irmino, and Novooleksandrivka. The SMM continued to observe heavy weapons missing from storage locations in government- and non-government-controlled areas. The SMM also monitored the results of shelling on and military personnel in proximity of schools. The SMM continued to monitor a calm situation along the administrative boundary line between the Ukrainian mainland and Crimea...

In Donetsk region, the SMM noted an increase in the number of explosions recorded (approximately 520) compared with the previous reporting period (nearly 400). In Luhansk region, the SMM heard ten explosions and approximately 500 bursts of small-arms fire, an increase compared with the previous day when not a single ceasefire violation was recorded. On the night of 30 August, the SMM was forced to leave its forward patrol base in Shchastia due to the close proximity of shelling. It followed up on reports of civilian casualties and analysed craters in Donetsk city, Dokuchaievsk, Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove), Pervomaisk, Troitske, and Krasnohorivka. The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines in government-controlled Vodiane. The Mission faced two restrictions to its freedom of movement, both in areas not controlled by the Government.* It observed a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea...

In Donetsk region, the SMM noted a relative decrease in the number of explosions recorded (nearly 400) compared with 28 August (nearly 1,000). In Luhansk region, the SMM neither registered ceasefire violations during the night of 28 August nor the daytime of 29 August. It followed up on reports of civilian casualties and analysed craters in Petrovskyi district, Yasynuvata, Horlivka, and Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove). The SMM observed preparations for the start of the school year. The Mission visited two border areas not controlled by the Government. It faced four restrictions to its freedom of movement, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government.* The Mission observed a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM monitored public gatherings in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded more explosions in Donetsk region on both 27 and 28 August compared with the previous reporting period.

The SMM recorded fewer explosions in Donetsk region on 26 August (at least 406) compared with the previous reporting period (over 543). The SMM also recorded significantly fewer explosions in Luhansk region (at least eight) compared with the previous day (nearly 200). It followed up on reports of civilian casualties and analysed craters on both sides of the contact line, in Donetsk city, Kostiantynivka, Stanytsia Luhanska, Marinka and Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove). The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and noted the presence of armoured combat vehicles and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the security zone. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians travelling across the contact line at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, and two border areas not controlled by the Government. It faced two denials to its freedom of movement.* The Mission observed a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea and observed three public gatherings in Kyiv and the cancellation of a public hearing at the city council in Odessa...

The SMM recorded more explosions in Donetsk region on 25 August (at least 543) compared with 24 August (over 350). In Luhansk region the SMM recorded a similar number of explosions compared with the previous day. It conducted crater analysis in Molodizhne, Petrovskyi district and Hannivka. The Mission facilitated repairs to essential infrastructure in Obozne and Shchastia. The SMM monitored three border areas not controlled by the Government.* It faced two freedom-of-movement restrictions in areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission observed a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM also followed up on reports of an explosion at an administrative building in Bila Tserkva...

The SMM observed a significant decrease in the number of explosions recorded in Donetsk region on 23 August (approximately 170) compared with 22 August (531), although the number of recorded explosions doubled on 24 August (over 350) compared with the previous day. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded twice as many explosions on 23 August (over 140) and thrice as many explosions on 24 August (over 200) compared with 22 August (60). The Mission observed ceasefire violations involving proscribed weapons in close proximity of its positions in Yasynuvata and Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM conducted crater analysis and observed the results of shelling on both sides of the contact line, in Popasna, Hranitne, Solodke, Petrovskyi district, Novooleksandrivka, Stanytsia Luhanska, Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka, and Krymske. The SMM faced four freedom-of-movement restrictions, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission continued to observe a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM also monitored celebrations marking Independence Day which were held on 24 August...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and an increase in the number recorded in Luhansk region.

The SMM observed an increase in the number of explosions recorded in Donetsk region both on 20 August (over 430) and 21 August (over 540) compared to 19 August. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more explosions (over 250) on 20 August and fewer explosions on 21 August (over 30) compared to 19 August. On two consecutive days, the Mission heard small-arms fire in close vicinity of its positions – in Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka respectively – while conducting mini-UAV flights. The SMM conducted crater analysis and observed the results of shelling on both sides of the contact line, in Marinka, Svitlodarsk, Hranitne, Pervomaiske, Veselohorivka, Komyshuvakha, Petrovskyi district, Yasynuvata, and Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM monitored long queues at entry-exit checkpoint in Zaitseve/Horlivka and at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, and facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable demining work and repairs at the bridge. The Mission monitored five border areas not controlled by the Government and continued to observe a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM faced five freedom-of-movement restrictions, all in areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM observed a decrease in the number of explosions (366) recorded in Donetsk region compared with the previous day (450). In Luhansk region the SMM recorded nearly eight times fewer explosions (89) compared to the previous day (700). The SMM carried out crater analysis and observed the results of shelling on both sides of the contact line, in Myrne Stanytsia Luhanska, Styla and Horlivka. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians travelling across the contact line at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure and the hand-over of a body. The Mission monitored four border areas not controlled by the Government and continued to observe a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM faced one freedom-of-movement restriction in an area not controlled by the Government...

The SMM observed a decrease in the number of explosions (450) recorded in Donetsk region compared with the previous day. In Luhansk region the SMM observed an increase in the number of explosions (700) recorded compared with the day before. The SMM carried out crater analysis and observed the results of shelling on both sides of the contact line in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The Mission monitored three border areas not controlled by the Government, faced restrictions at one and was denied access to another. The SMM continued to observe a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM faced four freedom-of-movement restrictions, three of them in areas not controlled by the Government...