Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

In Donetsk region, the SMM noted an increased number of ceasefire violations on both 7 and 8 May, compared to 6 May. In Luhansk region, it noted a low level of violence with less than 10 explosions recorded. The Mission observed the presence of hardware in violation of the respective withdrawal lines and continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM noted the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance. It continued to observe equally high numbers of civilians waiting to travel across the contact line, as before the weekend, and monitored the humanitarian situation of civilians affected by the conflict. The SMM visited one crossing point at the border in areas not controlled by the Government. The Mission monitored the situation of internally displaced persons in Kherson and observed a ceremony for “Reconciliation and Commemoration Day” in Lviv. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on ten occasions, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government...*

In Donetsk region, the SMM noted a lower number of ceasefire violations compared with the previous day, with over 120 explosions recorded. In Luhansk region it noted a low level of violence with five explosions recorded. The Mission observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. It continued to observe civilians travelling across the contact line. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on 12 occasions, including five denials of access, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM noted a high level of violence in Donetsk region, with more than 230 explosions recorded; while it noted a low level of violence in Luhansk region, with four explosions recorded. It observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The Mission continued to observe civilians travelling across the contact line in both directions. On both sides of the contact line, the SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on several occasions...

The SMM recorded a similarly low number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region as the previous day and a similar number of violations in Luhansk region when compared to the previous day. It observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal line on both sides of the contact line. The SMM also observed several hundred civilian vehicles and pedestrians waiting to cross the contact line.*

The SMM noted a similarly low number of ceasefire violations as the previous day, with 50 explosions recorded in Donetsk region and four in Luhansk region. The SMM observed firing incidents which were attributable to a live-fire exercise in an area outside of the security zone. It observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The Mission continued to observe civilians travelling across the contact line in both directions. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on both sides of the contact line...

For the fourth consecutive day the SMM continued to observe a low number of ceasefire violations, with 73 explosions recorded in Donetsk region, and two in Luhansk region. It observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The Mission continued to observe civilians crossing the contact line in both directions. It observed the commemoration of events that took place on 2 May 2014 in Odessa. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on both sides of the contact line...

The SMM observed a low number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, and none in Luhansk region. It observed the re-opening of the crossing route at Stanytsia Luhanska, the continued closure of the one in Olenivka, and high numbers of people crossing elsewhere. The Mission attempted to monitor in border areas outside government control but was prevented from doing so. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It observed the presence of numerous weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. It was restricted in its freedom of movement, including at one heavy weapons holding area and at a border crossing point, both in areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM recorded a lower number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous day. It conducted further crater analysis related to the shelling in Olenivka. The Mission observed presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair works. The SMM observed long queues at checkpoints near the contact line. It observed a protest in Odessa...

The SMM continued to record a high number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It continued to follow up on civilian fatalities sustained by shelling in Olenivka and reports on people wounded in the incident. The Mission found no information to confirm media reports about casualties resulting from a trip wire explosion in Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM observed the presence of numerous weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. It also monitored several public gatherings in Kyiv...

Four civilians were killed in “DPR”-controlled Olenivka, south-west of Donetsk city, when the area came under shelling. The SMM recorded significant numbers of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including multiple launch rocket system fire. The SMM monitored a demonstration against the mayor in Odessa. The SMM monitored a demonstration outside a closed-door court hearing in Kharkiv involving members of the Aidar battalion.

Four civilians were killed close to a “DPR” checkpoint near Olenivka when shelling occurred in the early hours of 27 April...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a high level of violence, with more than 600 explosions recorded. In particular, the SMM noted a considerable increase of violence in the Yasynuvata area, with some 450 explosions recorded. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded ceasefire violations in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska on the night of 25 April. SMM noted a number of weapons missing from permanent storage sites and holding areas. It observed long queues at checkpoints along the contact line. Its freedom of movement was restricted on two occasions, in areas not controlled by the Government.* The SMM followed up on an explosion at a bank in Odessa...

In Donetsk region, the SMM continued to observe a high level of violence. Luhansk region remained relatively calm, with the exception of Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM conducted crater analysis. SMM-facilitated and-monitored repair work was suspended in Marinka due to nearby violence. Large numbers of people were observed crossing the contact line. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on two occasions, one on each side of the contact line.

In Donetsk region, on 23 April the SMM observed a higher level of violence compared to the previous day, with nearly 500 explosions recorded. On 24 April, it recorded a significantly decreased number of ceasefire violations in comparison to the previous day, with less than 30 explosions recorded. In particular, a sharp decline of violence was noted in Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area, where the SMM did not record ceasefire violations save one explosion on 24 April. In Luhansk region, a single ceasefire violation was recorded from 23 to 24 April. The Mission conducted crater analysis on both sides of the contact line. It noted a number of weapons missing from permanent storage sites and holding areas. The SMM monitored four border areas not controlled by the Government; meanwhile its freedom of movement was restricted in two of these areas.

The SMM recorded an increased number of ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous day. The Mission conducted crater analysis in Donetsk city. It observed weapons at holding areas and noted weapons absent from them. The SMM continued to monitor long queues at entry-exit checkpoints near the contact line. The Mission monitored one border area not controlled by the Government. The SMM followed up on reports of an alleged arson attack on a vehicle in Kharkiv.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded a lower level of violence, with half the number of explosions compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region, the SMM noted a similar number of ceasefire violations in comparison to the previous day. The Mission continued to observe a number of weapons in Luhansk city, in violation of withdrawal lines. It noted that numerous weapons were missing from holding areas. The SMM did not experience any specific freedom-of-movement restrictions in the Donbas for the first time in a month. In Kyiv city and Kherson region, the Mission monitored public gatherings...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region, fewer ceasefire violations were recorded in comparison to the previous day. The Mission noted a significant number of weapons in Luhansk city, in violation of withdrawal lines, while other weapons were missing from holding areas. It analysed craters in an area close to the contact line. The SMM spoke to the head of the Bakhmut (formerly Artemivsk) regional administration regarding the presence of unmarked graves...

The SMM recorded a lower level of violence in Donetsk region compared to the previous reporting period. It noted weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and others absent from storage sites. The SMM observed long queues at checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission attempted to monitor in border areas outside government control but was repeatedly prevented from doing so. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted further in areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM recorded a higher level of violence in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with both 16 and 17 April. The Mission followed up on allegations of shelling in areas near the contact line. It noted weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and others absent from storage sites. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. It observed long queues at checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission monitored one border area outside government control and was denied access to another. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted further in areas not controlled by the Government, including access to a site known as a heavy weapons holding area. The SMM was threatened by armed men in areas outside of Government control...

The SMM recorded a lower level of violence in Donetsk region over the weekend. In Luhansk region the SMM continued to register ceasefire violations in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska in the evening hours and registered similar numbers of explosions compared to the night of 15 April. The SMM followed up on allegations of shelling in areas near the contact line. It observed weapons in the security zone, and noted that weapons were absent from storage sites. The Mission monitored four areas and was denied access to one area on the border still outside government control. Both sides restricted the SMM’s freedom of movement*. The SMM saw a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint had been moved 3km closer to a “DPR” position...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. The SMM followed up on allegations of shelling in an area near the contact line. It observed weapons in the security zone, and noted that weapons were absent from storage sites. The Mission monitored two border areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM monitored a peaceful protest in Odessa...

SMM observed a marked increase in violence during this reporting period with over 4,000 ceasefire violations through the Donetsk region, 500 of which were explosions. The major hotspots of Avdiivka/Yasynuvata accounted for more than half of these ceasefire violations. In Luhansk the Mission noted fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous day. The SMM observed weapons in the security zone, and noted that weapons were absent from storage sites. The Mission observed long queues of civilians and vehicles waiting to cross at checkpoints. The SMM encountered a restriction of its freedom of movement in an area not controlled by the Government...

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous day. In Luhansk the SMM observed a higher number of ceasefire violations compared with the previous day. The SMM noted that weapons were absent from storage sites and observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. The Mission monitored the retrieval of bodies from unmarked gravesites. It observed the presences of mines. The SMM noted long lines at checkpoints along the contact line. The SMM monitored one border crossing point not controlled by the Government. Armed men restricted the SMM’s movement in areas not controlled by the Government in several instances and the SMM was restricted in one instance in a government-controlled area...

The SMM observed a similar number of ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous day. A high number of explosions and gunfire continued to be recorded in different areas of the contact line in Donetsk region. The SMM noted that weapons were absent from storage sites and holding areas. The SMM monitored border areas not controlled by the Government. Armed men restricted the SMM’s movement in areas not controlled by the Government and the SMM was restricted in one instance in a government-controlled area...

The SMM recorded a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with each of the previous two days. In Luhansk region a low number of ceasefire violations were recorded. The Mission observed live-fire exercises within the security zone. The SMM noted that weapons were absent from storage sites and holding areas. In Luhansk city the SMM observed a number of weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines. It observed craters and other impacts from shelling. The Mission visited one border crossing point in an area not controlled by the Government. It encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions in non-government-controlled areas.* The SMM observed a number of public gatherings in Odessa and Kyiv.

The SMM recorded a lower number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region over the weekend compared to the number recorded on Friday, although violations continued to be recorded in large numbers along the contact line. Fewer violations were recorded in Luhansk region. The Mission came under small-arms fire in the government-controlled part of Zaitseve. The SMM carried out crater analysis in a number of locations near the contact line. Weapons continued to be absent from holding sites. In Luhansk city the SMM observed a number of weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines. The Mission monitored non-government-controlled parts of the border, and it was denied access to one area. The freedom of movement of the SMM was restricted mainly in areas not under government control.* The SMM observed a number of violent clashes in Odessa...

On 9 April, an SMM patrol, comprised of five members in two armoured vehicles, was in Zhovanka, a government-controlled part of Zaitseve (50km north-east of Donetsk). The patrol was accompanied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces head of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) office in Toretsk...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a significantly higher number of ceasefire violations. In Luhansk region a low number of ceasefire violations were recorded. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and noted weapons in violation. It observed craters and other damage caused by shelling. The SMM noted that the only entry-exit checkpoint for civilians in Luhansk region, at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, was closed. The Mission visited two border crossing points in areas not controlled by the Government, despite denials of access in these areas. It encountered other freedom-of-movement restrictions in non-government-controlled areas.* The SMM monitored a court hearing and sentencing in Kyiv, as well as a public demonstration outside the Presidential Administration building...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a slightly higher number of ceasefire violations. In Luhansk region a low number of ceasefire violations were recorded. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and noted weapons missing from storage sites, as well as weapons in violation. The Mission visited two border crossing points in areas not controlled by the Government, despite denial of access to several border areas. It encountered other of freedom-of-movement restrictions in non-government-controlled areas.* An SMM vehicle was hit by a bullet and an SMM monitor was threatened at gunpoint...

At 9:45hrs on 7 April, while an SMM patrol, comprised of four SMM members in two armoured vehicles, was 3.5km north-east of Snizhne (“DPR”-controlled, 72km east of Donetsk) near the administrative boundary between Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the driver of the front SMM vehicle heard the trunk window crackling. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, the SMM noted on the lower right part of the trunk window a hole, 5mm in diameter, assessed to be caused by a bullet...