Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk region and in Luhansk region remained relatively calm. The SMM observed a convoy of trucks bearing the inscription “Humanitarian aid from the Russian Federation”...

On 14 September, at about 15:00 hrs, the SMM was on patrol close to the Putilovka market, Kievskyi district, Donetsk city. The market appeared to have been subjected to shelling prior to the SMM’s arrival. Smoke was coming from one building and a fire brigade was at the scene. Members of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”) present at the location reported that a total of four people had been killed in the incident. About 20 m from its position, the SMM team could see the body of a civilian woman lying on the street.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The SMM observed an increase in ceasefire violations at and around Donetsk airport. In the Luhansk region, the SMM observed training activity and an increase in the movement of weapons and military equipment...

On 14 September the SMM monitored the situation and adherence to Minsk Protocol provisions in the areas east of Donetsk city. These areas have not been regularly patrolled by the SMM since the signing of the Protocol; breaches of the Protocol in these areas have been reported to the SMM...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk region and in Luhansk region remained relatively calm and the SMM did not record ceasefire violations on 19 September, but observed six explosions and some small-arms fire on 20 September. The SMM observed tensions but no incidents during the blockade of cargo trucks at three crossing points to Crimea...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained relatively calm with no ceasefire violations recorded by the SMM. The SMM observed tensions but no incidents during the blockade of the three crossing points to Crimea...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation remained largely calm in Donbas with only one non-training ceasefire violation recorded by the SMM. “DPR” members at a checkpoint pointed weapons at and threatened to shoot SMM members...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM noted a large concentration of tanks in a “DPR”-controlled area along the contact line. The SMM recorded some ceasefire violations, demining and training in Donbas, and an incident in Kharkiv...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded some ceasefire violations and continued spotting heavy weapons both in Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The majority of international humanitarian organizations operating in “LPR”-controlled areas of Luhansk region were told to leave before the weekend. The SMM observed concentrations of tanks at a few training sites in areas not controlled by the government...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation remained largely calm in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions with several ceasefire violations recorded by the SMM. The SMM followed up on a fatal accident in “DPR”-controlled Torez.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation remained largely calm in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions with only sparse ceasefire violations recorded by the SMM. The SMM observed considerable queues of civilian vehicles waiting at checkpoints to cross both into government-controlled and non-government controlled areas...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation remained largely calm in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the SMM recorded a small number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The SMM observed no ceasefire violations at and around the Donetsk airport. Several ceasefire violations were recorded elsewhere in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM chaired the twelfth meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Working Group on Security Issues in Minsk.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded a number of explosions in Donetsk and Luhansk regions most of which it assessed to have been life-fire exercises...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained calm, with few explosions and sporadic small-arms fire heard by the SMM, the majority of which the SMM assessed to be training exercises...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk remained generally calm, but the SMM heard some explosions and small-arms fire. Both Ukrainian Armed Forces and the “LPR” provided the SMM with some baseline information as required under the Addendum to the Package of measures.

An ICRC staff member – a Swiss national – was killed in shelling whilst apparently standing outside the front door of the ICRC office in Donetsk city on 2 October...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk remained generally calm. The SMM heard some explosions and small-arms fire. SMM monitored the withdrawal of weapons as required under the Addendum to the Package of measures. In Donetsk region, the SMM observed long civilian vehicle queues at several checkpoints...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained calm, but the SMM heard a few explosions and sporadic small-arms fire. The SMM monitored the withdrawal of tanks required under the Addendum to the Package of measures in Luhansk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM heard over a dozen explosions and sporadic small-arms fire. The SMM monitored the withdrawal of tanks required under the Addendum to the Package of measures in Luhansk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM heard several explosions. In Luhansk region, the SMM received further withdrawal plans. Verification of withdrawal stipulated in the Addendum to the Package of measures was not scheduled for the reporting period...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM verified the withdrawal of some tanks in the Luhansk region, as stipulated in the Addendum to the Package of measures. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM heard several explosions...

The Ukrainian Armed Forces and “LPR” provided the SMM with information about the withdrawal of artillery of calibre up to 100mm in accordance with the Addendum to the Package of measures. Armed individuals in “LPR”-controlled area prevented the SMM from monitoring the area close to the border with the Russian Federation. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM heard several explosions in Donetsk region...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum to the Package. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM visited Ukrainian Armed Forces storage sites to verify weapons withdrawn as foreseen in the Addendum to the Package. The SMM revisited three Ukrainian Armed Forces and one “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas. The SMM followed up on a shelling incident in “DPR”-controlled Vesele.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM revisited three Ukrainian Armed Forces and two “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas. Verification of withdrawal stipulated in the Addendum to the Package of measures was not scheduled for the reporting period...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM revisited eight heavy weapons holding areas and a weapons storage site. The SMM observed the recovery of human remains from the Donetsk airport.

A Ukrainian military checkpoint c. 40 km northwest of Luhansk city is surrounded by irregular armed personnel. There are 12 reported casualties, two of whom are confirmed by the SMM...

A GRAD rocket struck a small village close to Mariupol, causing civilian casualties...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. Rallies and marches were held in a number of cities throughout the country to mark the “Day of Ukraine’s Defender”. The SMM received notification from the “LPR” on the planned withdrawal of mortars pieces of calibre up to an including 120mm in accordance with the Addendum to the Package of measures...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM continued to register dozens of explosions. The SMM monitored mortar withdrawal activities conducted under the Addendum to the Package of measures in Luhansk region. It also spotted convoys marked as Russian Federation humanitarian aid...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM received written declarations related to the withdrawal of mortars in Luhansk region by the sides...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM registered non-training related explosions in Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Armed individuals prevented the SMM from monitoring in Luhansk region an area near the border with the Russian Federation...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM heard several explosions. Verification of withdrawal stipulated in the Addendum to the Package of measures was not scheduled for the reporting period. The SMM observed a gathering of some 300 people in front of the residence of SMM monitors in Donetsk city...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The overall situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively stable. The SMM heard a number of explosions at the outskirts of Donetsk city and confirmed reports of a person killed. The SMM continued monitoring the withdrawal of weapons stipulated in the Addendum to the Package of measures in Luhansk and further in Donetsk regions...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm, although the SMM heard several explosions. The SMM continued monitoring the withdrawal of weapons stipulated in the Addendum to the Package of measures in Luhansk and Donetsk regions...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was relatively calm although a number of explosions were recorded...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained largely calm, despite some explosions. The SMM observed no security incidents in relation to Election Day. The SMM visited Debaltseve and observed few civilians and the presence of armed groups...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations. Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained largely calm...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. There was an increase in fighting around the area of Donetsk airport. Luhansk region remained relatively calm. The SMM observed civilians crossing the bridge in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska. An “LPR” “border guard” prevented the SMM from visiting the border zone...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. There was an increase in the number of explosions around the area of Donetsk airport. Luhansk region remained relatively calm. The SMM visited several weapon storage locations in accordance with Minsk documents...

Compared to the previous day, there was an increase in the number of explosions around the area of Donetsk airport. Luhansk region remained relatively calm with the recorded explosions assessed as live-fire exercises. The SMM visited several weapons storage locations in accordance with the Minsk documents.

Numerous anti-aircraft rounds were fired at an SMM UAV on 2 November 2014.

The SMM recorded much fewer explosions in Donetsk region as compared with previous days. The situation in Luhansk region remained relatively calm. An explosion at the home of the mayor of Lviv is being investigated as an act of terrorism.

The SMM recorded a sharp increase in the number of ceasefire violations at and around Donetsk airport on 1 November...

On 5 November, at 18:02hrs, a Ukrainian military representative from the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) in Debaltseve informed the SMM about shelling and fatalities on Stepanenko Street, three kilometres north-west of the city centre of Donetsk. On 6 and 7 November the SMM visited the site of the reported incident, where it identified ten craters. Nearby shelling forced the SMM to leave the area.

The SMM observed an intense exchange of fire around Donetsk airport. The situation in Luhansk region remained relatively calm with no firing incidents recorded. For the first time over seven months, the SMM could reach a border crossing point in “LPR”-controlled Izvaryne, despite several restrictions to its freedom of movement, including denial access to a certain location...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed a significant increase in explosions and gunfire from its position at Donetsk railway station. In “DPR”-controlled Staromykhailivka, the SMM saw a private house that had been shelled. The security situation in Luhansk remained relatively calm. In Luhansk, the SMM facilitated repairs to different utility networks...

In the city of Donetsk and in Makeevka (25km north-east of Donetsk city), in “DPR”-controlled territory, the SMM observed convoys of heavy weapons and tanks. At the time of reporting, the SMM could hear heavy, outgoing shelling to the north and northwest of the city’s outskirts, which had started at 14:45hrs.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed explosions and gunfire from its position at Donetsk railway station. In Luhansk, the SMM facilitated repairs to different utility networks...