Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM recorded on 27 March more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, and fewer ceasefire violations in Luhansk region, compared with 26 March. The Mission observed damage caused by recent shelling to houses and civilian infrastructure in Avdiivka, Popasna and Vesela Hora. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM visited one border area currently not controlled by the Government. The blockade of railway routes across the contact line in Buhas, Hirske and Bakhmut continued. In Kharkiv region the SMM continued monitoring the situation following a fire and a series of explosions at an ammunition storage depot...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on 25 March compared with 24 March and more ceasefire violations on 26 March compared with 25 March. In Luhansk region the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations (all of which were explosions) on 25 March compared with 24 March, and fewer explosions on 26 March compared with 25 March. The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Pokrovsk and Avdiivka and observed damage caused by recent shelling to houses in Zaichenko, Dokuchaievsk, Orikhove, Molodizhne and Katerynivka. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted...

At 12:45 on 26 March, an SMM patrol of four mission members in two armoured vehicles stopped 500m north-east of government-controlled Orikhove-Donetske (44km north-west of Luhansk). At about 13:10, a couple minutes after launching a mid-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the SMM observed another UAV almost directly above the patrol’s position, approaching from the south-south-west at a height of approximately 100 metres. The UAV was slightly larger than the SMM UAV and darker in colour, with a larger wingspan and vertical wingtips. It sounded like it had an electric motor. The SMM immediately began the landing procedure for its own UAV. The other UAV flew over the SMM patrol’s position, circled three times – steadily gaining altitude – and then departed to the west...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of a civilian casualty in Naberezhne and observed damage to houses and other infrastructure in Horlivka. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted.* An armed man fired a shot in the air 20m away from an SMM patrol in Znamianka.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The blockade of railway routes across the contact line in Buhas, Hirske and Bakhmut continued. In Kharkiv region the SMM continued monitoring the situation following a fire and a series of explosions at an ammunition storage depot...

At 12:10 on 24 March, an SMM patrol of four mission members in two armoured vehicles stopped at an abandoned bus stop about 800m west of “LPR”-controlled Znamianka (36km north-west of Luhansk) to monitor the ceasefire. On disembarking the SMM heard eight single shots of small-arms fire approximately 1km south...

The security situation deteriorated along the contact line. The SMM recorded a sharp increase in the number of ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Yasynuvata and Donetsk city and observed damage to civilian houses and other infrastructure on both sides of the contact line. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. It corroborated a report of a civilian casualty in Yasynuvata. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted.* The SMM noted long queues at entry-exit checkpoints in Stanytsia Luhanska, Olenivka, Berezove and Novotroitske. It monitored a border area currently not controlled by the Government. The Mission continued to monitor the blockade of railway routes across the contact line. The SMM monitored protests outside banks in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, and followed up reports of vandalism against a bank in Ternopil...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, and a similar number of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. The SMM heard small-arms fire close to its position while conducting a mini-UAV flight near Aslanove. The Mission observed damage from shelling in Sarabash and Donetskyi, and corroborated reports of a civilian casualty in Dokuchaievsk. The Mission monitored disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in government controlled areas. The SMM followed up on reports of vandalism against a bank branch in Kramatorsk and a shooting incident at a collective centre for internally displaced persons in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous 24 hours, mostly concentrated in areas to the east and north-east of Mariupol and including the use of multiple-launch rocket systems, and a similar number of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared to the previous 24 hours. It observed damage from shelling to a house in Luhanske and corroborated reports of civilian casualties in Lozove and Avdiivka. The Mission monitored disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted. SMM cameras recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska area. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in government controlled areas, as well as weapons missing from permanent storage sites in areas not under government control. It again noted long queues of civilians at three entry-exit checkpoints. The SMM continued to monitor the blockade of railway routes crossing the contact line. The Mission continued monitoring protests outside banks in Kyiv and Dnipro...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions between the evenings of 17 and 18 March compared with the previous reporting period, but fewer ceasefire violations in both between the evenings of 18 and 19 March compared with the previous 24 hours. It observed damage to houses and infrastructure from shelling in Yasynuvata, Dokuchaievsk, Kalynove, Zolote and Hnutove, and corroborated a report of a civilian casualty in Yasynuvata. The Mission monitored disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access there and elsewhere remained restricted.* SMM cameras recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote areas. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines, as well as weapons beyond withdrawal lines but outside storage sites. It again noted long queues of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints and visited three border areas currently not under government control. The SMM continued to monitor the blockade of railway routes crossing the contact line. The Mission monitored a public gathering in Lviv...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on civilian casualties in Donetsk and Valiuske, and observed damage to civilian property in Horlivka and Dokuchaievsk. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access remained restricted.* The SMM camera recorded ceasefire violations inside the Zolote area. The Mission saw for the first time anti-tank mines in government-controlled parts of that area and heard an explosion assessed as the impact of an artillery round inside the area. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and missing from storage sites. It visited a border area currently not under government control. The Mission continued to monitor the blockade of routes crossing the contact line and monitored a session of a regional council, which supported the blockade and the related recent decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine. It monitored the continuation of a protest outside a bank office in Kyiv and a protest in front of the Russian Federation Consulate General in Odessa...

On 17 March five SMM members were positioned – outside two of its vehicles – 15km north of Donetsk on the eastern side of highway H20, where it intersects with a secondary road leading east to Donetsk Water Filtration Station, (located between government-controlled Avdiivka and “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata) to monitor adherence to the ceasefire for demining at and around the filtration station as well as the restoration of water supply to both sides of the contact line...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on a civilian casualty in Pokrovsk and observed damage to civilian property and infrastructure in Zolote, Kruta Hora, Irmino and Luhanske. The SMM monitored the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access remained restricted.* The SMM camera recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area. The Mission directly observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in government-controlled areas. The SMM observed increased military and police presence at seven checkpoints in government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM, in co-ordination with the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), facilitated demining efforts and repair works at and around the Donetsk Water Filtration Station. The Mission continued to monitor the blockade of routes crossing the contact line. It continued monitoring a protest outside a bank office in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded a similar overall number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions as in the previous reporting period, but twice as many explosions in Luhansk region than in the previous period, most in areas west of Kadiivka. The Mission followed up on civilian casualties in Avdiivka, Bakhmut and Horlivka, and observed damage to civilian property in Lobacheve, Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and Pavlopil. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access remained restricted.* The SMM camera recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska area. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and missing from storage sites. It visited two border areas currently not under government control. The Mission continued to monitor the blockade of routes crossing the contact line and monitored demonstrations in support of the blockade. It monitored continuation of a protest outside a bank office in Kyiv and followed up on a similar protest in Dnipro.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission observed damage to civilian property, possibly due to shelling, in Donetsk city and near Vuhlehirsk. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, but its access remained restricted. SMM cameras recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote areas. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. In two locations, armed “DPR” members threatened SMM monitors, with “arrest” in one case and with shooting in another. The SMM facilitated mine clearance of a railway track between Popasna and Zolote-5. It visited one border area currently not under government control. It monitored the continuing blockade of a railway near Hirske, observed that activists were no longer present at a blockade site near Shcherbynivka and monitored demonstrations in several cities in support of the blockade. It monitored continuation of a protest outside a bank office in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The Mission observed impact sites in Dokuchaievsk. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted. In violation of the Framework Decision the SMM observed hardware and forces inside the Zolote disengagement area. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints. It continued to observe the blockade of routes across the contact line at four locations in government-controlled areas. The Mission visited one border area currently not under government control in Voznesenivka. The SMM followed up on reports of vandalism against branches of a bank in Kharkiv and Kyiv...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations between the evenings of 10 and 11 March compared with the previous reporting period, and fewer on 12 March. In Luhansk region the Mission recorded fewer such violations between the evenings of 10 and 11 March compared with the previous period, and fewer on 12 March. The Mission observed damage from shelling on both sides of the contact line, including new impact sites at a building in Avdiivka housing an SMM camera. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote but its access remained restricted.* The SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area on 9 and 10 March. The Mission saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints. It observed no changes with regards to the blockade of routes that lead across the contact line at three locations in government-controlled areas. The Mission visited one border area currently not under government control in Verkhnoharasymivka.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. In Pikuzy two 82mm mortar rounds impacted near the SMM. It observed damage from shelling in Sartana, Luhanske and Borivske. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote but its access remained restricted.

On 10 March, the SMM was positioned with six monitors and two cars on road T0519 at the western edge of “DPR”-controlled Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove, 23 km north-east of Mariupol) to monitor adherence to the ceasefire for repairs to gas pipelines, which had been damaged by shelling-related fire on 8 March.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. Most of the explosions were recorded around Svitlodarsk and Horlivka. The Mission corroborated reports of civilian casualties in Pikuzy and Avdiivka. It observed damage to homes on both sides of the contact line in Luhanske, Verkhnotoretske, Pikuzy, Donetskyi and Yasynuvata (where it also observed tracks consistent with a tank). It continued to monitor the disengagement areas but its access remained restricted.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. On two separate occasions, interlocutors dealing with public matters in areas not controlled by the Government refused to speak with the SMM, citing the need for written permission from senior “LPR” members. In Lviv region a local city council member spoke with the SMM about work to conserve historical Jewish sites.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission observed damage to homes and infrastructure caused by shelling in residential areas of Dokuchaievsk and Pikuzy. It continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* The SMM recorded ceasefire violations in the Zolote disengagement area. The Mission, in co-ordination with the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), facilitated demining activities and repair works in areas of the Donetsk Water Filtration Station. It continued to monitor the blockade of routes crossing the contact line at four locations in government-controlled areas. The SMM visited two border areas currently not under the government’s control. The Mission observed initiatives related to the International Women's Day...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24 hours. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Bakhmut and Sentianivka, and observed damage caused by shelling on both sides of the contact line. The Mission continued monitoring the three disengagement areas, but its access remained restricted.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM heard more than 1,000 explosions in areas east and north-east of Mariupol and unidentified armed men restricted its freedom of movement on two occasions in villages not controlled by the Government in this area.* The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Dokuchaievsk, Marinka and Krasnohorivka. It observed impact sites from shelling in Zaitseve, Loskutivka, Horlivka, Donetskyi, Kadiivka and Pervomaisk. The Mission continued monitoring the three disengagement areas but its access remained restricted.* It observed impact sites inside the Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote disengagement areas. The Mission continued to monitor the blockade of railroad routes crossing the contact line. The SMM visited one border area currently not under government control. It monitored a court hearing in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region between the evenings of 3 and 4 March compared with the previous reporting period, and fewer ceasefire violations between the evenings of 4 and 5 March compared with the previous 24-hour period. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations between the evenings of 3 and 4 March compared with the previous reporting period, and fewer ceasefire violations the evenings of 4 and 5 March compared with the previous 24-hour period. It observed damage from shelling in Avdiivka, Popasna, Dachne, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Loskutivka, and Pikuzy. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote but its access remained restricted.* It recorded ceasefire violations near the Zolote and Petrivske disengagement areas. The Mission, in co-ordination with the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), facilitated and monitored demining activities in areas of the Donetsk Water Filtration station. The Mission monitored the blockade of routes crossing the contact line in three locations. The SMM visited one border area currently not under the government control in Sievernyi, and armed men prevented the SMM from proceeding to another border area currently not under the government control in Leonove...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. It followed up on a civilian casualty in Zolote-4 and observed damage from gunfire and shelling in Kalynove, Donetskyi and Avdiivka (at a site where an SMM camera is positioned). The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote but its access remained restricted.* It recorded ceasefire violations near the Zolote disengagement area...

At 11:15 on 3 March, positioned south-west of  “DPR”-controlled Khreshchatytske (formerly Krasnoarmiiske, 33km north-east of Mariupol) the SMM observed what it assessed to be two self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) and one command vehicle moving from south to north and turning east at locations 2-3km east from SMM’s position. The SMM moved further south-east, and at 11:50 reached a location about 500m east of the spot where it had assessed the weapons could be located...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations, including more than twice as many explosions compared with the previous reporting period. It followed up on casualties in Kurakhove and Popasna and observed damage from shelling on both sides of the contact line in Zolote. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote but its access remained restricted.* The Mission heard artillery explosions and heavy-machine-gun fire near the Zolote disengagement area. The Mission monitored the blockade of routes crossing the contact line in four locations. It visited two border areas not under government control. The SMM monitored a protest in Chernivtsi...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including more than twice as many explosions compared with the previous reporting period. It observed damage from shelling on both sides of the contact line. The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire and facilitated dialogue in order to repair essential infrastructure in the area of Svitlodarsk. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote but its access remained restricted.* The Mission heard artillery explosions and heavy-machine-gun fire inside and near the Zolote disengagement area. The SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska revealed five ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area on 27 February. The SMM noted unexploded ordnance in Lyman, Shchastia, Kalynove and near Donetsk airport. The Mission monitored the blockade of routes crossing the contact line in four locations. It visited a border area not under government control...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including twice as many explosions, compared with the previous reporting period. It observed damage from gun fire and shelling on both sides of the contact line, in Yasynuvata, Talakivka, Novolaspa and Verhulivka. The SMM noted resumption of electricity in parts of Avdiivka. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* The SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska revealed one ceasefire violation inside the disengagement area on 27 February. The SMM noted weapons in violation on both sides of the contact line. It noted the presence of unexploded ordnance in Novooleksandrivka and of mines south of Shchastia. The SMM monitored the blockade of routes crossing the contact line. It visited a border area not under government control. In Kharkiv the SMM monitored a public gathering...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region between the evenings of 26 and 27 February compared with the previous 24 hours. The SMM observed houses damaged by shelling in Zolote and Pikuzy. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* The Mission reviewed video footage from the SMM camera in Zolote that revealed ceasefire violations near the disengagement area on 25 February. The SMM observed weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The SMM noted the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance in Nova Marivka and Zolote, and near Shchastia. A “DPR” member returned an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle seized by armed men in Yasynuvata on 24 February. The Mission monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable maintenance and repairs near Artema and Krasnyi Lyman. The SMM monitored the blockade of a railway track near Hirske. It visited two border areas not under government control. The SMM monitored public gatherings in Kyiv and observed removal of graffiti from a bank in Odessa, as well as a cross erected in a Jewish cemetery in Ivano-Frankivsk...