Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM observed a relatively low number of ceasefire violations in Donbas. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, the majority in areas not under government control.* Zaitseve residents told the SMM that the nearby crossing point was closed to vehicular traffic. The SMM learned that a large number of people crossed the contact line near Stanytsia Luhanska...

The SMM observed a significant number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and several in Luhansk region. It continued to visit heavy weapons holding areas and permanent storage sites. The Mission encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, the majority in areas not under government control. Residents and Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel told the SMM that the Maiorsk checkpoint had been closed for pedestrians and traffic...

The SMM observed a significant number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and one in Luhansk region. It monitored the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission facilitated and monitored de-mining and repair works on both sides of the contact line. The SMM encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, the majority in areas not under government control. The Mission followed up on an explosion in Kherson that damaged the exterior of a Crimean Tatar Majlis office.

The SMM observed a significant number of explosions in the early morning hours in Donetsk region compared to the previous day, while the number of violations in Luhansk region remained low. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, the majority in areas not controlled by the Government; in particular, “DPR” members demanded that SMM patrols provide passports, “accreditations” and signed patrol plans in order to proceed – all in violation of the SMM’s mandate.* The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repair works on critical infrastructure, and noted long queues of civilians at checkpoints along the line of contact. The Mission monitored numerous false bomb threats in several cities around Ukraine.

The SMM observed numerous ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, the majority in areas not controlled by the Government.* The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repair work to critical infrastructure.

The SMM observed numerous ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It followed-up on reports of civilian casualties near government-controlled Marinka, and shelling of residential areas in Donetsk city. The Mission encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, the majority in areas not controlled by the Government.* The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repair work to critical infrastructure.

The SMM observed numerous ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region the two ceasefire violations observed were attributed to training exercises. The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission facilitated and monitored demining and repair works on both sides of the contact line. The SMM encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions.* It observed the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) and noted long queues of civilians at checkpoints along the line of contact. The Mission followed up on the situation of de-mobilized ATO veterans.

The SMM observed numerous ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region, it recorded a number of ceasefire violations, some of them assessed as training related. The Mission continued to visit heavy weapons holding areas and permanent storage sites. The SMM encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions in areas not under government control.* If followed up on reports about bomb threats in Rivne region and a blockade of trucks with Russian Federation registration plates transiting Ukraine in Zakarpattia region.

On 9 March 2015, the SMM facilitated the demining of the village of Kominternove (88km south-east of Donetsk) by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Kominternove is located in between territory controlled by the government and areas controlled by “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”) and as a result has been subject to constant shelling since the beginning of the conflict. Many unexploded tank and mortar shells, rocket-propelled grenades (RPG), 220mm rockets and burned tanks can be found throughout the village, including the yard of a local school and kindergarten. Previously, the SMM had seen children playing near the unexploded ordnance (UXO), and had informed Ukrainian authorities (see SMM Daily Report 29 December)...

The SMM observed a large number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and followed up on reports of shelling in government- and non-government-controlled areas. Residents on both sides of the contact line in Donetsk region told the Mission that they heard shelling almost every night. The Marinka checkpoint was temporarily closed due to fighting on 13 February, the Ukrainian Armed Forces told the SMM. The SMM observed long queues of civilians at checkpoints near the contact line. The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. In Mariupol the SMM observed 200 internally displaced persons calling for demining in Shyrokyne. In Lviv the Mission monitored a gathering of two hundred people marking the formation of the Falcon organization...