Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum to the Package. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM visited Ukrainian Armed Forces storage sites to verify weapons withdrawn as foreseen in the Addendum to the Package. The SMM revisited three Ukrainian Armed Forces and one “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas. The SMM followed up on a shelling incident in “DPR”-controlled Vesele.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces and “LPR” provided the SMM with information about the withdrawal of artillery of calibre up to 100mm in accordance with the Addendum to the Package of measures. Armed individuals in “LPR”-controlled area prevented the SMM from monitoring the area close to the border with the Russian Federation. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM heard several explosions in Donetsk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM verified the withdrawal of some tanks in the Luhansk region, as stipulated in the Addendum to the Package of measures. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM heard several explosions...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM heard several explosions. In Luhansk region, the SMM received further withdrawal plans. Verification of withdrawal stipulated in the Addendum to the Package of measures was not scheduled for the reporting period...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM heard over a dozen explosions and sporadic small-arms fire. The SMM monitored the withdrawal of tanks required under the Addendum to the Package of measures in Luhansk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained calm, but the SMM heard a few explosions and sporadic small-arms fire. The SMM monitored the withdrawal of tanks required under the Addendum to the Package of measures in Luhansk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk remained generally calm. The SMM heard some explosions and small-arms fire. SMM monitored the withdrawal of weapons as required under the Addendum to the Package of measures. In Donetsk region, the SMM observed long civilian vehicle queues at several checkpoints...

An ICRC staff member – a Swiss national – was killed in shelling whilst apparently standing outside the front door of the ICRC office in Donetsk city on 2 October...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk remained generally calm, but the SMM heard some explosions and small-arms fire. Both Ukrainian Armed Forces and the “LPR” provided the SMM with some baseline information as required under the Addendum to the Package of measures.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained calm, with few explosions and sporadic small-arms fire heard by the SMM, the majority of which the SMM assessed to be training exercises...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded a number of explosions in Donetsk and Luhansk regions most of which it assessed to have been life-fire exercises...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The SMM observed no ceasefire violations at and around the Donetsk airport. Several ceasefire violations were recorded elsewhere in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM chaired the twelfth meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Working Group on Security Issues in Minsk.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation remained largely calm in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the SMM recorded a small number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation remained largely calm in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions with only sparse ceasefire violations recorded by the SMM. The SMM observed considerable queues of civilian vehicles waiting at checkpoints to cross both into government-controlled and non-government controlled areas...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation remained largely calm in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions with several ceasefire violations recorded by the SMM. The SMM followed up on a fatal accident in “DPR”-controlled Torez.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded some ceasefire violations and continued spotting heavy weapons both in Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The majority of international humanitarian organizations operating in “LPR”-controlled areas of Luhansk region were told to leave before the weekend. The SMM observed concentrations of tanks at a few training sites in areas not controlled by the government...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM noted a large concentration of tanks in a “DPR”-controlled area along the contact line. The SMM recorded some ceasefire violations, demining and training in Donbas, and an incident in Kharkiv...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation remained largely calm in Donbas with only one non-training ceasefire violation recorded by the SMM. “DPR” members at a checkpoint pointed weapons at and threatened to shoot SMM members...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained relatively calm with no ceasefire violations recorded by the SMM. The SMM observed tensions but no incidents during the blockade of the three crossing points to Crimea...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk region and in Luhansk region remained relatively calm and the SMM did not record ceasefire violations on 19 September, but observed six explosions and some small-arms fire on 20 September. The SMM observed tensions but no incidents during the blockade of cargo trucks at three crossing points to Crimea...

On 14 September the SMM monitored the situation and adherence to Minsk Protocol provisions in the areas east of Donetsk city. These areas have not been regularly patrolled by the SMM since the signing of the Protocol; breaches of the Protocol in these areas have been reported to the SMM...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The SMM observed an increase in ceasefire violations at and around Donetsk airport. In the Luhansk region, the SMM observed training activity and an increase in the movement of weapons and military equipment...

On 14 September, at about 15:00 hrs, the SMM was on patrol close to the Putilovka market, Kievskyi district, Donetsk city. The market appeared to have been subjected to shelling prior to the SMM’s arrival. Smoke was coming from one building and a fire brigade was at the scene. Members of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”) present at the location reported that a total of four people had been killed in the incident. About 20 m from its position, the SMM team could see the body of a civilian woman lying on the street.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk region and in Luhansk region remained relatively calm. The SMM observed a convoy of trucks bearing the inscription “Humanitarian aid from the Russian Federation”...

The SMM observed the simultaneous release of 68 hostages/prisoners in the Donetsk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded few ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces and “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas and found weapons missing. In Kyiv, the SMM monitored a protest of journalists...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed no ceasefire violations at and around the Donetsk airport. Several ceasefire violations were recorded in the Donetsk and the Luhansk regions.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed a calm situation both in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM visited a number of schools on both sides of the contact line.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded 22 explosions in the Donetsk region and over 50 rounds of small-arms fire in the Luhansk region...

The SMM saw evidence of an exchange of fire close to the area of Donetsk International Airport, and in Shchastya, 20 km north of Luhansk...

On 6 September at 22:45hrs the SMM heard artillery shelling to the east of Mariupol. The SMM could not ascertain from which direction the shelling was being fired. It lasted until 23:51hrs...

Observations by the monitoring teams of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) based at the Shchastya checkpoint and Stanitsa Luhanska (Luhansk region); Mariupol and Donetsk city...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded 44 explosions in Donetsk region and over 38 explosions in Luhansk region. The SMM revised heavy weapons holding areas of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, “DPR”, and “LPR”...

On 5 September, the SMM monitored the Vostochny District of Mariupol city and the “Vostochny” checkpoint on the eastern outskirts of Mariupol...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded ceasefire violations at or around Donetsk airport and none in the Luhansk region. In Uman, the SMM found a quiet atmosphere following tensions over the removal of a tent built for an annual pilgrimage of Hasidic Jews...

The situation in Mariupol and the surrounding area raises concern due to increased military activity, primarily to the east of Mariupol city. Reportedly, heavy fighting in the area of Shyrokyne (24km east of Mariupol city) and Bezimenne (34km east of Mariupol city) is taking place. Local residents are nervous and fear that Mariupol may be attacked soon.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by security considerations*. The SMM recorded a decrease in ceasefire violation numbers both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared to the previous day. Considerable movement of military equipment to the west of the contact line was observed by the SMM in Donetsk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded 231 explosions in Donetsk region and 16 explosions in Luhansk region. The SMM observed the movement of military hardware in Donetsk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded ceasefire violations, almost exclusively at or around Donetsk airport and none in the Luhansk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded an increase in the number of ceasefire violations compared to previous days in Donetsk region, and one ceasefire violation in Luhansk region...

The SMM established an advance team in Mariupol to monitor the security situation in the area. This presence is being strengthened.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed few ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, and none in Luhansk.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed one explosion in Donetsk region and recorded no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed few ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, and none in Luhansk. The SMM spoke to police and hospital staff following an alleged ambush in Luhansk region...

On 24 August the SMM entered Luhansk city which, due to heavy fighting, it had last visited on 21 July...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by security considerations*. Few ceasefire violations were recorded, exclusively at or around Donetsk airport. The SMM monitored a peaceful start to the new school year in numerous schools...

KYIV, 24 August 2014- The SMM on 23 August (at 17:15hrs) saw a residential area in Donetsk (Kalinski district, around 5km north of the city centre) which was severely damaged by artillery. Residents at the scene told the SMM that the area was shelled at around 16:30hrs.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The number of ceasefire violations observed remained at a similar level compared with the previous day in Donetsk. No ceasefire violations were recorded in the Luhansk region. The SMM observed preparations for the start of the school year in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In Kyiv the SMM monitored a protest outside the national Parliament which turned violent...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM noted a marked decrease in fighting in Donetsk and in Luhansk over 29 and 30 August. On both sides of the contact line the SMM observed schools being repaired in preparation for the start of the school year.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. Ceasefire violations were recorded in numerous locations. The SMM observed damage caused by shelling and conducted several crater analyses in Donetsk and Luhansk regions...