Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations than on each of the previous two days. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations than on each of the previous two days. The Mission observed the construction of additional fortifications at the Ukrainian Armed Forces position at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and noted that the “LPR” continued to maintain its new position at the bridge just north of the river. It also observed significant movement of weapons in Luhansk region. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs in Vesela Hora and the recovery of a body in Zaitseve. The Mission observed long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line and monitored a public gathering in Odessa. The SMM did not encounter any specific restrictions to its freedom of movement.*...

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous day. In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded over 40 explosions during the night of 20 June, while it did not record any ceasefire violations during daytime. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded ten explosions. The Mission conducted crater analysis and observed damage to residential houses caused by shelling in six locations on both sides of the contact line. It continued to observe significant movement of weapons in government-controlled areas of Luhansk region. The SMM observed long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on four occasions in non-government-controlled areas...

At approximately 02:25hrs on 9 August, the SMM observed that four OSCE armoured vehicles parked outside the residence of SMM monitors in Donetsk city were on fire. At 02:33hrs, the SMM heard four loud bursts, most probably as a result of tires of the armoured vehicles exploding. By 03:22hrs, the firefighters managed to extinguish the fire. The SMM noted that three of its vehicles were completely destroyed, one vehicle heavily damaged and three other vehicles partially damaged by the heat from the fire. SMM monitors were not injured and no damage to other OSCE vehicles was observed...

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared to the previous day. In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded over 140 explosions during the night of 21 June and 15 during the day. The SMM was caught in mortar shelling in Vodiane. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded one small-arms shot. The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line and spoke to people who had spent the night in their vehicles between the respective last checkpoints. The Mission monitored a peaceful protest in Odessa. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on three occasions, all in areas outside government control...*

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous day and no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. It followed up on reports of shelling and observed significant movement of weapons in Luhansk region. The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. In Chernivtsi National University, the number of woman enrolling in the department of military training program has steadily been increasing, the SMM heard. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on one occasion in areas outside government control...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations, with nearly 90 explosions during the night of 23 June and four during the day. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded some ceasefire violations compared with none during the previous day. It conducted crater analysis and observed damage to houses in Kirovskyi district and Kominternove. The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line, with civilians suffering from high temperatures. It reached the border in an area not controlled by the Government on one occasion. In Kharkiv, the SMM monitored a public gathering related to the status of volunteer participants in the Anti-Terrorism Operation. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on two occasions – once in a government-controlled area and once in an area outside government control...*

In Kominternove the SMM found the bodies of two young boys killed by power lines most probably downed by shelling. In Donetsk region the SMM observed more ceasefire violations on each 25 and 26 June compared to 24 June. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded no ceasefire violations on 25 June, and fewer on 26 June compared to 24 June. It conducted crater analysis in Makiivka. The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line, where civilians complained about lack of basic facilities. The SMM monitored a public meeting in Lviv. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on seven occasions both in government- and non-government-controlled areas...

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to 25 and 26 June respectively, particularly in the southern Donetsk region. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded no ceasefire violations. It conducted crater analysis in Horlivka, Troitske and Popasna. The Mission noted weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. The SMM observed significantly shorter queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line at Marinka, Olenivka and Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, and facilitated repairs to essential infrastructure between Trokhizbenka and Pryshyb. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on three occasions in non-government-controlled areas...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous reporting period, with most of the fighting recorded in Avdiivka and Svitlodarsk. In Luhansk region the SMM continued to note a calm situation with two single shots of small-arms fire recorded. It monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable recovery of the bodies of “DPR” members in Sakhanka. The SMM conducted crater analysis in Donetsk, Dokuchaievsk and Rumiantseve. It continued to observe the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. It facilitated repairs to essential infrastructure in Trokhizbenka, near Gagarin mine, Krasnyi Lyman, and in Pryshyb. It observed the presence of explosive remnants of war. The SMM did not encounter any specific restrictions to its freedom of movement...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous reporting period, including an escalation of armed violence in the wider area of Debaltseve. The SMM noted the use of rocket launchers in the areas of Avdiivka and multiple-launch rockets systems in Shyrokyne. It monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable recovery of the bodies of two “DPR” members in Pisky. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians at the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. It facilitated and monitored repairs to essential infrastructure in Horlivka, near Gagarin mine, Trokhizbenka, Shchastia and in Obozne. The SMM did not encounter any specific restrictions to its freedom of movement...