The crisis in and around Ukraine

OSCE responses to the crisis in and around Ukraine include high-level diplomacy and multilateral dialogue; monitoring the security situation on the ground; promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and strengthening democratic institutions and practices.

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OSCE Chief Monitor Ertugrul Apakan urges restraint as security situation in eastern Ukraine deteriorates

Statement on Tragic Incident in Luhansk by OSCE Special Monitoring Mission Chief Monitor Ertugrul Apakan

OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine patrol member killed in explosion near Luhansk

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Kurz and Secretary General Zannier welcome renewal of Ukraine monitoring mission’s mandate

Mandate of OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine extended by one year to 31 March 2018

OSCE Chief Monitor in Ukraine condemns targeting of monitors and seizure of unmanned aerial vehicle

Reports by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM)

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine monitors and reports on developments on the ground throughout Ukraine, including the implementation of the Minsk Agreements. The Mission provides daily reports on the security situation; spot reports in response to specific incidents; thematic reports on how the conflict affects different aspects of daily life; and fortnightly status reports summarizing the latest facts and figures on the Mission’s work.

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Daily and spot reports

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Daily

as of 19:30hrs, 11 Nov 2018

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region between the evenings of 9 and 10 November, compared with the previous reporting period. Between the evenings of 10 and 11 November, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous 24 hours. Two SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles came under small-arms fire in Kadiivka and Novotoshkivske. In non-government-controlled areas, the SMM monitored the security situation on the day of reported “elections” announced for 11 November. An SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle spotted fresh mortar impacts at the Bakhmut Agrarian Union’s pig farm near Novoluhanske. The SMM recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote disengagement areas. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas as well as in three separate areas near the border with the Russian Federation, including Novoazovsk. The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable demining near Nyzhnoteple...

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Spot

12 November 2018

The Mission saw buildings with signs that read “polling stations”. It noted a slight increase in the presence of armed formations in some areas of non-government controlled Donetsk city centre. Some civilians expressed concern to the SMM about “voting”...

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Daily

as of 16:46hrs, 09 Nov 2018

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission’s long-range unmanned aerial vehicle experienced severe jamming near Korsun. It followed up on reports of shelling at the Bakhmut Agrarian Union’s pig farm near Novoluhanske. The Mission saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Bila Hora and Zhelanne. The SMM recorded ceasefire violations near the Zolote and Petrivske disengagement areas. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas, as well as at two border crossing points not under government control. The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to houses and essential civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line, as well as to enable demining near Nyzhnoteple. In Odessa, the SMM observed graffiti on two monuments associated with the 1905 mutiny on the battleship Potemkin.

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Thematic Reports

Status reports

Status Report as of 29 October 2018

Report
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Українська

Reports by the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk

The Observer Mission issues weekly reports on the security situation, movements and activities at the border checkpoints of Donetsk and Gukovo in the Russian Federation. Spot reports are issued in response to specific incidents.

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Weekly and spot reports

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Weekly

as of 09:00hrs, 13 Nov 2018

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons slightly decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week...

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Weekly

as of 09:00hrs, 06 Nov 2018

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons slightly increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week...

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Highlights

Interview with Flavien Schaller, Chief Observer

Students, teachers and other curious residents of Luhansk accepted the open invitation of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (SMM) to join an informal public discussion on what the SMM does.

OSCE Café in Luhansk: Kindling Discussion and Understanding

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine operates ten patrol bases in both government- and non-government-controlled areas, enabling a permanent presence of monitors close to the contact lines where most incidents take place.

Forward Patrol Bases: Two Years on the Contact Line

OSCE mirror patrols: Windows of hope in Eastern Ukraine

As the conflict continues in eastern Ukraine, achieving lasting peace remains a challenge. However, there are some grounds for optimism, as the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, and its “mirror patrols” provide a window of hope.

For the staff of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, raising awareness about the dangers of landmines and other explosives is a priority on patrols and in presentations for school children and other groups.

Promoting mine awareness in eastern Ukraine – OSCE Monitors on patrol

Gender Focal Points within the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) talk about their daily contributions to gender equality and why the SMM is determined to connect gender equality to sustainable peace and security efforts.

Connecting Gender Equality to Peace and Security

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OSCE responses to the crisis in and around Ukraine

OSCE Chairmanship

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has been active throughout the crisis, intervening at the presidential and ministerial levels with the aim of reaching a diplomatic solution. His Special Representative to the Trilateral Contact Group facilitates the negotiation process.
OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM)

The SMM gathers information and provides impartial fact-based reports on the security situation on the ground (including specific incidents), monitors and supports respect for human rights commitments, and works to establish contacts and facilitate dialogue, with the aim of reducing tensions. Facilitating the implementation of the Minsk agreements is a major part of its work.
OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk

The Observer Mission monitors and reports on movements across the border at the two checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk in the Russian Federation.
OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media

The Representative warned of the deteriorating media freedom situation in Ukraine ahead of the crisis. Systematically raising violations of free media, in particular journalists’ safety and restrictions to media plurality, she has addressed over 200 attacks of journalists, and also issued a report on the media freedom situation in Ukraine.
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities has consistently advocated for balanced and inclusive policies that would strengthen social cohesion in Ukraine, including in the fields of language and national minority rights. He also closely monitors the situation of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians in Crimea.
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

The OSCE PA President engages with political leaders in Ukraine and Russia, while the Assembly has hosted some of the only meetings between the countries’ lawmakers since the crisis began. The Assembly has held debates on the situation and parliamentarians have led the OSCE’s short-term election observation activities in Ukraine.
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

ODIHR has deployed thousands of observers as part of observation missions for Ukrainian presidential, parliamentary and local elections, and actively monitors the human rights situation, including in Roma communities. It works with civil society and governmental partners to build capacity in the area of freedom of religion or belief and in addressing hate crime.
OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine

The Project Co-ordinator supports Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and practices, including in elections and governance; fosters legal, judicial and police reforms; and reinforces the fight against trafficking, terrorism, money-laundering and cybercrime. It also promotes national dialogue, enhances demining capacities, and supports protection of human rights and the safety of journalists.
OSCE Secretariat

The OSCE Secretary General is at the forefront of the Organization’s response to the crisis, engaging in diplomatic dialogue and traveling to the region to meet with affected communities. The Conflict Prevention Center established and supports field missions on the ground, promotes arms control and supports national dialogue. The Gender Section supports the inclusion of women in all phases of conflict resolution processes in Ukraine.

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