Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on both 25 and 26 February compared with 24 February. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations on 25 February compared with 24 February and fewer on 26 February compared with both 24 and 25 February. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian casualties and shelling in Avdiivka, Yasynuvata, Betmanove, Popasna and Zolote. Firing and explosions occurred near the SMM in Katerynivka. The SMM observed weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was restricted further on both sides of the contact line. The Mission continued to note the presence of mines. It visited three border areas not under government control. It continued to monitor the blockade of railway tracks near Kryvyi Torets and Hirske. The SMM monitored public gatherings in Kherson and Kyiv...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk compared with the previous reporting period, with the majority of explosions concentrated in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. In Luhansk region the SMM also recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting with over 110 artillery explosions in the western parts of the region.

At 13:27 on 24 February 2017, the SMM heard a burst of small-arms fire (three to five shots) at close range while preparing to launch a mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the north-western edge of non-government-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), about 130m south-east of the M-04 highway. (The SMM patrol was attempting to launch the UAV to monitor the reported shelling of the Donetsk water filtration station.)

The SMM recorded more explosions in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM observed weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* The SMM faced three conditional restrictions of its freedom of movement in areas outside of government control south-west of Donetsk and near Horlivka. The Mission visited two border areas currently not under control of the Government. It continued to observe the blockade of railway tracks near Hirske. In various cities the SMM observed generally peaceful public gatherings related to socio-economic demands...

The SMM recorded more explosions in Donetsk region compared with the previous 24-hour period and no explosions in Luhansk region. The Mission observed impact sites in Pikuzy. The Mission saw weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. Its freedom of movement was restricted on both sides of the contact line. The SMM, in co-ordination with the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), facilitated and monitored repairs of critical infrastructure. The Mission continued to monitor the situation of civilians near the contact line and to observe blockade of railway tracks near Hirske, Bakhmut and Shcherbynivka. It monitored a peaceful demonstration of about 15,000 people in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded a similar number of explosions in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties and shelling. The Mission saw weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. Its freedom of movement was restricted on both sides of the contact line.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, but more explosions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM, in co-ordination with the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), facilitated and monitored repair of power supply to the Donetsk Water Filtration station and Avdiivka. The Mission observed restoration of electricity in Avdiivka. In areas not under government control the SMM observed a number of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines in Luhansk region. The Mission continued to observe the blockade of railway tracks near Hirske. In various cities the SMM observed generally peaceful demonstrations commemorating the events on Maidan in Kyiv three years ago. In Kharkiv, the SMM followed up on media reports of an alleged shooting incident on the night of 17 February...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period in Donetsk region on both 18 and 19 February. In Luhansk region, the SMM observed more ceasefire violations on 18 February but fewer on 19 February. The SMM confirmed civilian casualties in Avdiivka and Trudivske and observed infrastructure damage as a result of shelling in Avdiivka, Trudivske, Pikuzy, Novooleksandrivka, and Zolote.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* Outside of the disengagement areas the sides also continued to restrict the Mission’s monitoring, particularly in areas not controlled by the Government.* The SMM noted three tanks and two anti-tank guns in violation of withdrawal lines in areas not under government control and one howitzer in violation in an area controlled by the Government. It noted 29 weapons missing for the first time from a storage site not under government control. The Mission continued to observe the blockade of railway tracks near Hirske. It followed up on reports of vandalism at two banks in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* Beyond the disengagement areas, too, the sides continued to restrict the Mission’s monitoring on numerous occasions through direct denials of access or other impediments, including by not removing mines.* The SMM noted weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line and noted weapons missing from storage sites. It observed the blockade of railway crossings near Hirske. The SMM facilitated repair of a power line between Svitlodarsk and Horlivka. It visited two border areas currently not controlled by the Government. The Mission followed up on the situation at a camp for Crimean Tatar activists near Chonhar...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Beyond the disengagement areas, too, the sides continued to restrict the Mission’s monitoring and verification on numerous occasions through direct denials of access or other impediments, including by not removing mines.* The SMM noted howitzers and tanks in violation of withdrawal lines and weapons missing from storage sites on both sides of the contact line. It observed the blockade of railway crossings near Hirske, Bakhmut and Shcherbynivka. The SMM facilitated repair of a power line between Svitlodarsk and Horlivka. It visited a border area currently not controlled by the Government. The Mission observed an organized gathering of civilians in front its residence in Donetsk city. The SMM monitored the situation of IDPs in Kharkiv...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period, mainly in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The Mission followed up on reports of explosions at industrial facilities in Donetsk city and Shchastia, and damage to civilian infrastructure in Novooleksandrivka. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Beyond the disengagement areas, too, the sides continued to restrict the Mission’s monitoring and verification on numerous occasions through direct denials of access or other impediments, including by not removing mines.* The SMM noted tanks in violation of withdrawal lines and weapons missing from storage sites on both sides of the contact line. It monitored the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints. The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repair of a power line near Luhanske. It observed the blockade of railway crossings near Hirske and Shcherbynivka. The SMM visited a border area currently not controlled by the Government...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the period between the evenings of the 11 and 12 February, mainly in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was restricted on numerous other occasions, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line and noted the presence of armed formations in the security zone in Luhansk region. It facilitated repair of essential infrastructure near Luhanske and Pikuzy. The SMM observed the blockade of a railway crossing near Hirske and talked with interlocutors who spoke of the consequences of the blockade. The Mission followed up on a security incident at an activist camp in Kherson...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations – including, however, more explosions – in Donetsk region between the evenings of 10 and 11 February compared with the previous reporting period. The number of ceasefire violations recorded was higher between the evenings of 11 and 12 February, but included fewer explosions. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations – including, however, fewer explosions – between the evenings of 10 and 11 February compared with the previous reporting period. The number of ceasefire violations between the evenings of 11 and 12 February was similar compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission followed up on a report of civilian casualties in Avdiivka. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was further restricted, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government, including in an incident in which warning shots were fired near the SMM in Pikuzy.* The Mission observed a considerable number of weapons in violation of withdrawal lines, weapons beyond withdrawal lines but outside storage sites, and armoured combat vehicles in the security zone, particularly in areas of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government. The Mission observed the blockade of a railway crossing near Petrivka, and noted that the blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued. It visited two border areas currently not under government control...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was further restricted, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government.* The Mission noted that the blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued. It visited one border area currently not under government control. The SMM followed up on reports of vandalism at an art exhibition in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period, and facilitated dialogue strengthening the ceasefire. The Mission followed up on reports of shelling on both sides of the contact line, and assessed impact sites in Stanytsia Luhanska, Toshkivka, and Peredilske as caused by fire from multiple-launch-rocket systems.

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions as in the previous reporting period, mostly in areas north of Donetsk and west of Luhansk. The SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area on the night of 3-4 February, while the situation remained calm there from 5 to 7 February. The Mission monitored the situation of civilians close to the contact line and at entry-exit checkpoints. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The SMM lost communication with a mini unmanned aerial vehicle near Chernenko.* The Mission visited four border areas currently not under the control of the Government. The blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM and the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) facilitated repair of power supply to the Donetsk Water Filtration station and Avdiivka, which restored water, electricity and heating in the town. The Mission confirmed a report of a civilian fatality in Kurdiumivka and observed damage caused by shelling in Pikuzy, Donetsk and Novooleksandrivka. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The Mission followed up on the relocation of civilians from Avdiivka. The SMM visited three border areas currently not under control of the Government. The blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM, in co-ordination with the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire around the Donetsk water filtration station which allowed repair to take place and pumping operations to resume, restoring supply to thousands in Donetsk region. The Mission observed damage caused by shelling in Pikuzy, Lobacheve, Pavlopil, Orlivske and Uzhivka. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides on the contact line. The SMM continued monitoring in the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The Mission followed up on the relocation of civilians from Avdiivka. The SMM visited one border area currently not under control of the Government...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region between the evenings of 3 and 4 February compared with the previous reporting period, followed by an increase over the next 24 hours. The Mission recorded a consecutive decrease in ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period between the evenings of 3 and 4 February and during the following 24 hours. The Mission continued to confirm reports of civilian casualties and observed damage caused by shelling in residential areas of Avdiivka, Donetsk city, and other settlements on both sides of the contact line. The SMM and the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) facilitated adherence to the ceasefire around the Donetsk water filtration station which allowed for a partial re-connection of the electricity supply to Avdiivka. The Mission observed weapons in violation on both sides of the contact line, particularly in areas not controlled by the Government around Donetsk city. The Mission continued monitoring in the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote but its access remained restricted.* It noted ceasefire violations within the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske. The Mission visited three border areas currently not under government control...

At 07:55 on 4 February, the SMM heard a loud explosion south of the Luhansk city centre. At 11:30, the SMM went to Chervonopraporna Street where it observed that the incident site had been cordoned off and about 20 “LPR” members, both armed and unarmed, and a fire brigade, were on the spot.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period as the situation remained volatile. The Mission confirmed reports of casualties, including fatalities, and observed damage caused by shelling in residential areas of Avdiivka, Donetsk city, Sartana and Chernenko.

At about 09:00 on 3 February 2017, as an SMM patrol approached a position of the so-called “LPR” near Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk), it saw three armed men in military-style uniform about 30m away.

On 3 February the SMM followed up on reports of casualties following fighting in Donetsk region. Medical staff at a hospital in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) informed the SMM about two civilian fatalities and two other persons who had suffered shrapnel injuries.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period, though the overall situation remained tense. Most of the ceasefire violations were recorded in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The Mission followed up on reports of casualties and saw damage caused by shelling on both sides of the contact line, including in Avdiivka and Makiivka and observed the evacuation of children from Avdiivka.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous reporting period, but the overall situation remained highly tense. It observed the use of multiple-launch-rocket systems in Horlivka and Kruta Balka. While the majority of violations were again recorded in the wider area of Avdiivka-Yasynuvata, the SMM recorded hundreds of explosions in different areas of the contact line. The SMM and the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) facilitated a local ceasefire allowing repairs to power lines supplying the Donetsk water filtration station and to restore electricity to the town of Avdiivka. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and on the move on both sides of the contact line. The SMM monitored the humanitarian situation in Avdiivka and Yasynuvata, it followed up on reports of civilian casualties and saw damage caused by shelling on both sides of the contact line. The Mission continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The Mission monitored the continuing blockade of a railway track near Hirske. In Kyiv the SMM monitored a funeral ceremony for seven Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers reportedly killed in Avdiivka...

The SMM noted a significant increase in ceasefire violations recorded in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions and recorded the widespread use of multiple-launch-rocket systems in Avdiivka, Yasynuvata and Horlivka. The number of explosions in Donetsk region was the highest yet recorded by the SMM. While the majority of violations were in the wider area of Avdiivka-Yasynuvata, the SMM recorded hundreds of explosions in different areas of the contact line. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and on the move on both sides of the contact line. The Mission monitored the humanitarian situation in Avdiivka, and followed up on reports of civilian casualties and saw damage caused by shelling in Troitske and Novooleksandrivka. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The SMM was denied access to Yasynuvata. The SMM visited border areas currently not under control of the Government. In Kyiv the SMM monitored a protest against the reported arrest in Crimea of a Crimean Tatar lawyer...

The SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk between the evenings of 29 and 30 January, with intense fighting in the areas of Avdiivka and Yasynuvata, compared with the previous 24 hours. In Luhansk region the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission followed up on civilian casualties and observed impact sites and damage to civilian houses from shelling in several locations. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Video footage from the SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska revealed ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area on 27 and 28 January. The Mission continued to monitor weapons withdrawal and observed weapons in violation of their respective withdrawal lines. It visited one border area currently outside of government control. The Mission monitored an ongoing blockade of a railway track near Hirske...

In Donetsk and Luhansk regions the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations between the evenings of 27 and 28 January compared with the previous reporting period, and more between the evenings of 28 to 29 January, including an escalation of violence in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The SMM followed up on reports of damage in several residential areas due to shelling. The Mission continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* There were ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area on 27 and 28 January. In violation of withdrawal lines the Mission observed tanks and howitzers near Avdiivka and a surface-to-air missile system near Hannivka. It visited two border areas currently outside of government control...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period, but fewer explosions in Luhansk region. The Mission saw a civilian casualty in Kalynove and damage from shelling to homes in Kalynove, Brianka and Zolote. It continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The SMM monitored weapons withdrawal and observed weapons in violation and outside of storage sites. The Mission saw a new crack across a section of asphalt, which extends the full width of the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska. It visited two border areas currently not under government control. The SMM experienced freedom of movement restrictions on both sides of the contact line, and in non-government-controlled Amvrosiivka and Debaltseve, armed men in an aggressive manner temporarily prevented it from leaving both areas...