Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM observed a number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region, it also observed instances of ceasefire violations, including live-fire training. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted, mostly in areas not controlled by the Government.* In Zaitseve, the SMM conducted crater analysis and observed a damaged house. In Marinka it facilitated and monitored repair works on the local gas pipeline...

The SMM observed a number of ceasefire violations across Donetsk region. In Luhansk region, it also observed instances of ceasefire violations, including live-fire training. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission continued also to facilitate repairs to vital civilian infrastructure. The SMM met with a civilian wounded by a booby trap in Zaitseve. The SMM faced restrictions to its freedom of movement once in a government-controlled area and three times in “LPR”-controlled areas...

The SMM observed a small number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region, it observed no ceasefire violations. “LPR” members restricted its freedom of movement on six ocasions. The Mission continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs of critical infrastructure. The SMM also followed up on reports of civilians injured during shelling in Zaitseve, the water shortages in Luhansk city.

Due to adverse weather and other operational requirements, the SMM limited its patrolling in Donbas in order to conduct first aid, evacuation and medical evacuation drills. The SMM however, did observe ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. The Mission monitored the situation at crossing points at the administrative boundary line between Kherson region and Crimea. In Lviv, the Mission monitored a meeting between the Regional Council and representatives of different Russian national cultural organizations. The SMM monitored events marking the Day of Unity of Ukraine on 22 January 2016 in Chernivtsi and Lviv.

The SMM observed a number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, mainly at and around Donetsk airport and in Marinka. In Luhansk region, the Mission observed ceasefire violations including the use of Addendum-regulated weapons and heavy weapons during live-fire exercises on both sides of the contact line. “DPR” and “LPR” members restricted the SMM’s freedom of movement.* The SMM could reach certain non-government-controlled border areas in Luhansk region for the first time.

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It faced restrictions to its freedom of movement, most of which were imposed by “DPR” members in areas north-east of Mariupol*. The Mission spoke to a “DPR” member and civilians at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Horlivka. In Lviv, some 200 coal miners held a peaceful protest over unpaid salaries. In Kyiv, it followed up on electricity supply problems affecting two centres for internally displaced persons...

The SMM observed an increase in the number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region as compared to the previous three days, mainly at and around Donetsk airport and Debaltseve. In Luhansk region, recorded ceasefire violations were training related. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on four occasions in areas not controlled by the Government.* The Mission followed up on media reports about damage to a World War II monument in Kharkiv and an alleged seizure of a church in Rivne. In Kyiv, the Mission observed a public gathering by groups commemorating the beginning of the confrontations on Maidan in 2014 and its victims...

The SMM observed relative calm with only a small number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk region. “LPR” members prevented the SMM from travelling to Chervonyi Zhovten, near the border area. The Mission continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs of critical infrastructure in Donetsk region. It observed an 82mm mortar set-up on the outskirts of “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city...

Whilst areas at and around Donetsk airport remained largely calm with one ceasefire violation recorded, the SMM continued to note violations elsewhere, in particular around Horlivka and Kominternove. The situation in Luhansk region remained relatively calm, with no ceasefire violations observed. The Mission experienced a freedom-of-movement restriction in Kominternove, where “DPR” members prevented it from observing alleged damage caused by shelling at a civilian house and conducting crater analysis...

Whilst areas at and around Donetsk airport remained largely calm, the SMM continued to note ceasefire violations elsewhere, in particular in areas north-east of Mariupol, and around Horlivka. An SMM patrol came under small-arms fire in Marinka. The Mission experienced multiple freedom-of-movement restrictions, mainly in areas not controlled by the Government...

On 16 January at 10:44hrs, an SMM patrol comprised of three monitors, one paramedic and one language assistant in two armoured vehicles arrived at a field in the vicinity of government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk) – some 1.5km from the contact line – to conduct a general assessment of the damages to a gas pipeline...

A number of ceasefire violations were recorded in Donetsk and Luhansk. The Mission facilitated the delivery of urgently needed haemodialysis equipment for patients in Horlivka hospital no.2. The SMM observed damage to houses in Kominternove and was prevented from entering a building and adjacent yard in the village by “DPR” members. An SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was damaged by small-arms fire in Luhansk region...

The SMM observed a number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In particular, the Mission noted continued shelling in Horlivka, and a significant number of ceasefire violations in the outskirts of Kominternove. In Luhansk region, the SMM observed fresh craters assessed to have been caused by mortar fire. The Mission continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair of critical infrastructure...

The SMM observed a number of ceasefire violations in the Donbas, including at and around Donetsk airport, and close to Horlivka. The Mission received from the Ukrainian authorities additional baseline information related to the withdrawal of heavy weapons, including withdrawal locations. The SMM did not experience any concrete freedom-of-movement restrictions in the Donbas. The Mission visited Kominternove, and a border area not controlled by the Government...

The SMM observed a calm situation in most parts of Donbas, including at and around Donetsk airport, but recorded numerous ceasefire violations close to Horlivka. The Mission found a number of previously-observed weapons missing from a Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding area. It experienced numerous freedom-of-movement restrictions* in areas not controlled by the Government, in particular in areas in and around Kominternove...

The SMM observed over 20 ceasefire violations involving the use of mortar, all in the wider area of Kominternove, but no ceasefire violations in the area of Donetsk airport. All ceasefire violations in Luhansk region were assessed as live-fire exercises. The Mission saw armed men in Kominternove and spoke to residents. The SMM followed up on casualties from alleged exchange of fire in Zaitseve on 9 January. The SMM followed up on tensions between religious communities in western Ukraine and monitored a peaceful commemoration in Odessa...

The SMM observed a number of ceasefire violations, mainly around Donetsk airport, in Horlivka and in the wider area of Kominternove. In particular, there was a significant increase in the number of explosions observed in Horlivka. The Mission liaised with both sides of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination to facilitate adherence to the ceasefire and evacuate an injured woman in Zaitseve. For the first time in over a month, the SMM had access to the border area of Sverdlovsk, where it observed a calm situation...

The SMM observed a generally calm situation throughout Donbas, with the exception of Horlivka and Telmanove, where it observed multiple ceasefire violations. In Luhansk region, the Mission observed live-fire training exercises in many areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM observed relative calm with a small number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and no ceasefire violations in the area near Donetsk airport. In Horlivka, armed “DPR” members temporarily held SMM monitors, and forced them to the ground at gunpoint. In areas not controlled by the Government, the SMM was denied access on five occasions and was granted conditional access at one occasion...

The SMM observed relative calm with a small number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. “DPR” members restricted the SMM’s movements during a patrol to Kominternove. The SMM observed weapons missing from storage sites and weapons in use at training areas...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a small number of ceasefire violations, most of which were recorded around Donetsk airport. In Luhansk region, the SMM registered mortar shelling. The SMM was again denied access to Kominternove, from the east and south-west*. The SMM followed-up on reports of tensions between religious communities in western Ukraine and the creation of a self-defence force in Kherson...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a small number of ceasefire violations– all but one were recorded around Donetsk airport. In Luhansk region, the SMM did not observe any ceasefire violations for the second consecutive day. In Kominternove and surrounding areas, the SMM observed a calm situation. The SMM experienced six freedom-of-movement restrictions, including denial of access to Kominternove from the east and to border areas not controlled by the Government*. The Ukrainian Armed Forces prevented the SMM from flying an SMM UAV...

The SMM observed a relative calm with only a small number of ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk region and in Luhansk region. The SMM was able to reach Kominternove and observed craters that residents said had been caused on 31 December. “LPR” members in an area north of Troitske threatened to shoot the SMM if they did not leave the area. “LPR” members prevented the SMM from travelling towards the Izvaryne and Dolzhanskyi border crossing points. “DPR” members refused the SMM access to the village of Oktiabr on three successive days. The SMM observed that a pylon on the Kakhovka–Titan power line that had been felled on 30 December had been replaced by 3 January. Marches commemorating the birthday of Stepan Bandera were observed by the SMM throughout the country...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in limited locations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded no firing incidents except one controlled denotation. The SMM attempted, unsuccessfully, to reach Kominternove in order to observe the security situation in the village. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable infrastructure repairs...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in southern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM visited the area of Kominternove to monitor the security situation. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs of critical infrastructure. The SMM observed farmers’ protests in Kherson and Chernivtsi region...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. An SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (mini-UAV) was caught in small-arms fire. The SMM revisited Kominternove to follow up on reports about the presence of armed persons in the village. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs of critical infrastructure...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In Donetsk region, the SMM saw and heard the use of mortars. The SMM reached Kominternove several days in a row to follow up on reports about the presence of armed persons in the village and the situation of the residents, but its access was restricted*. The SMM encountered other restrictions to its freedom of movement and security incidents. The SMM reached parts of the international border in Luhansk region not controlled by the Government...

At 10:53hrs on 27 December, an SMM patrol comprised of six SMM members in two armoured vehicles arrived at 3.5km south-south-west of the centre of Kominternove village (92km south of Donetsk, 23km north-east of Mariupol) from “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Zaichenko (90km south of Donetsk), escorted by armed “DPR” members and a Russian Federation representative of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (accompanied by a media representative). There, the SMM started monitoring on foot and found three craters in an agricultural – not cultivated – field...

At 10:25hrs on 24 December, an SMM patrol arrived in Kominternove (92km south of Donetsk, 23km north-east of Mariupol) from the village’s eastern entrance, escorted by armed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”) members. For the last two days, the SMM had attempted to reach the village to follow up on reports about the presence of armed “DPR” members, but had not been able to do so due to security concerns and the restriction to its freedom of movement imposed by armed personnel (see SMM Daily Reports 23 December and 24 December 2015)...

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to previous days. In Luhansk region, the SMM saw and heard the use of a multiple launch rocket system. The SMM again attempted, unsuccessfully, to reach Kominternove* in order to follow up on reports about the presence of armed persons in the village. The SMM encountered other restrictions to its freedom of movement...