Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 24 March 2019

This report is for the media and the general public.

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 22 and 23 March, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Compared with the previous 24 hours, between the evenings of 23 and 24 March, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region.
• The SMM saw fresh damage to residential houses due to shelling in Pikuzy.
• The Mission recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote disengagement areas.
• The SMM followed up on the announcement by the Ukrainian authorities that they would open the entry-exit checkpoint near Zolote for civilian passage on 24 March. It saw that vegetation surrounding the checkpoint had been burned and mine hazard signs removed at the checkpoint of the armed formations on the southern edge of the disengagement area. The SMM did not see any civilians crossing the checkpoint.
• The SMM observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line.
• Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere, including in areas near non-government-controlled Molodizhne, Zaichenko and Dovzhanske, close to the border with the Russian Federation.*
• In Kyiv, the Mission monitored a public gathering organized by National Corps and Natsionalni Druzhyny.
• The SMM monitored gatherings in front of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Kyiv and the Consulates-General in Kharkiv, Lviv and Odessa.

Ceasefire violations[1]

In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 22 and 23 March, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including about 45 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (about 275 explosions). The majority of ceasefire violations were recorded south-east and south-south-east of Chermalyk (government-controlled, 31km north-east of Mariupol).

On the evening of 22 March, the SMM camera at the entry-exit checkpoint in Pyshchevyk (government-controlled, 25km north-east of Mariupol) recorded a projectile in flight from north-west to south-east at an assessed range of 100-900m. No damage to the camera was recorded.

Between the evenings of 23 and 24 March, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations, including about 65 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours. The majority of ceasefire violations were recorded south and south-east of Chermalyk and at westerly and northerly directions of Yasynuvata (non-government-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk).

In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 22 and 23 March, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including about 95 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (about 380 explosions). The majority of the ceasefire violations were recorded west and north-west of Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, non-government-controlled 50km west of Luhansk) and inside and near the disengagement area near Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk) (see below).

Between the evenings of 23 and 24 March, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including four explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours. All ceasefire violations were recorded inside and near the Zolote disengagement area.

Fresh damage to residential houses due to shelling in Pikuzy

The SMM followed up on media reports of shelling in Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove, non-government-controlled, 23km north-east of Mariupol). On 23 March, at 112 Akhmatovoi Street, the SMM saw fresh damage to two windows on the west-facing side of a one-storey house: one shattered and the other cracked. About 50m south-south-east of the house, the SMM observed two fresh craters. The SMM assessed the damage as caused by rounds of undetermined weapons fired from a north-north-westerly direction.

About 300m further east-south-east, at 92 Akhmatovoi Street, the SMM saw two recently shattered windows on the western side of a one-storey house, as well as fresh holes in the west-facing metal doors of a barn 4m north-north-west of the house. In the yard of the house, approximately 10m west of it, the SMM saw a fresh crater. The SMM assessed the damage as caused by rounds of undetermined weapons fired from a northerly direction. A resident of the house told the SMM that he had been at home with his wife on the morning of 22 March when shelling occurred.

Disengagement areas[2]

On the evening of 22 March, the SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk) recorded an undetermined explosion at an assessed range of 1-2km south-south-east, assessed as inside the disengagement area. On the same evening, the SMM camera at the Prince Ihor Monument south-east of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (15km north-east of Luhansk) recorded an undetermined explosion at an assessed range of 0.1-1km east, assessed as outside the disengagement area.

On the morning of 23 March, positioned south of Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, the SMM heard four shots of cannon fire at an assessed range of 2-3km north-north-west, assessed as inside the Zolote disengagement area. On the same day, the SMM camera in Zolote recorded three projectiles near the disengagement area. On the same morning, positioned at two different locations near Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, the SMM heard 12 undetermined explosions and about 35 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire near the disengagement area. During the day on 24 March, positioned on the southern edge of the disengagement area, the SMM heard five shots of small-arms fire at an assessed range of 1-2km north, assessed as inside the disengagement area, as well as four undetermined explosions and 20 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, all assessed as outside the disengagement area.

On 23 and 24 March, positioned inside the disengagement area near Stanytsia Luhanska and near the disengagement area near Petrivske (non-government-controlled, 41km south of Donetsk), the SMM observed calm situations.[3]

Follow-up on announcement by Ukrainian authorities that they would open the entry-exit checkpoint near Zolote for civilian passage

The SMM followed up on the announcement by the Ukrainian authorities that they would open the checkpoint 300m north of the northern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote for civilian passage on 24 March (see SMM Daily Report 1 April 2016 and SMM Daily Report 21 October 2017). On 23 March, the SMM observed that vegetation surrounding the checkpoint had been burned. At the checkpoint of the armed formations on the southern edge of the disengagement area, the SMM observed a pile of about six mine hazard signs lying on the ground.

On 24 March, at 08:28 at the checkpoint 300m north of the northern edge of the disengagement area, the SMM saw ten civilians (three women, seven men, 40-60 years old) and around 35 personnel, including Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers, members of the military press and police officers. While present between 08:28 and 15:00, the SMM did not see any civilians passing the checkpoint to proceed further south. A Ukrainian Armed Forces representative of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) told the SMM that civilians had not been allowed through the checkpoint, as the checkpoint of the armed formations on the southern edge of the disengagement area remained closed. The SMM saw two Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel launch an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which then flew at a low altitude over the checkpoint. Later on, the SMM observed an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) mounted on a truck near the checkpoint (see below). At the checkpoint of the armed formations on the southern edge of the disengagement area, the SMM observed senior members of the armed formations talking to media representatives. At this checkpoint as well as that of the armed formations south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, the SMM observed laminated signs warning people against crossing the line of contact in the Zolote area due to “security concerns”.

Withdrawal of weapons

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons in implementation of the Memorandum and the Package of Measures and its Addendum.

Weapons in violation

Government-controlled areas

23 March

The SMM saw:

• two anti-tank guided missile systems (9P148 Konkurs, 135mm) near the checkpoint of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk) (SMM Daily Report 22 March 2019) (seen also on 24 March) and
• a surface-to-air missile system (9K33 Osa) heading south-west, approximately 4km north-east of Vesela Dolyna (64km north of Donetsk).

Non-government-controlled areas

22 March

An SMM mini-UAV spotted two tanks (T-64) in Stepanivka (62km west of Luhansk) (see SMM Daily Report 22 March 2019).

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside of designated storage sites

Government-controlled areas

22 March

An SMM mini-UAV spotted three surface-to-air missile systems (9K37), one near and two in Vesele (87km north of Donetsk).

Indications of military and military-type presence inside the security zone[4]

Government-controlled areas

23 March

The SMM saw an infantry fighting vehicle (probable BMP-2) near Trokhizbenka (32km north-west of Luhansk).

24 March

The SMM saw an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) mounted on a truck near the Zolote disengagement area and a UAV flying at a low altitude over the area (see above).

Non-government-controlled areas

22 March

An SMM mini-UAV spotted surveillance and acquisition radar (P-19) on top of a slag heap near Fashchivka (61km south-west of Luhansk) (see SMM Daily Report 12 February 2019).

23 March

The SMM saw an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23-2) mounted on a truck near Zolote-5/Mykhailivka.

Demining activities

On 23 March, the SMM saw six persons standing next to a vehicle with the name of an international demining organization on it, conducting demining activities about 3km north of Shyrokyi (government-controlled, 38km north-east of Luhansk).

Presence of mines and unexploded ordnance

On 24 March, the SMM again saw at least seven anti-tank mines in a field about 25m west of road H-20, near a checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka (non-government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk). On the same day, the SMM again saw a mortar shell (82mm) embedded in the middle of the road, approximately 1.2km south-east of a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near Maiorsk (government-controlled, 45km north-east of Donetsk), between the forward positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and of the armed formations.

SMM facilitation of operation and inspection of civilian infrastructure

On 23 and 24 March, the Mission continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable an inspection of water wells at the Petrivske pumping station near Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk), to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS) and to monitor the security situation around the pumping station near Vasylivka (non-government-controlled, 20km north of Donetsk).

Border areas outside government control

On 24 March, while at a border crossing point near Dovzhanske (84km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw a car (with Ukrainian licence plates) and a bus (with Russian Federation licence plates) entering Ukraine, and two cars (with Ukrainian licence plates) exiting Ukraine. After about ten minutes, a member of the armed formations told the SMM to leave the area.*

On the same day, while at a border crossing point near Novoborovytsi (79km south of Luhansk), the SMM saw no cross-border traffic.

Gathering in Kyiv

In Kyiv on 23 March, from 12:00 to 15:30, the SMM monitored a public gathering by National Corps and Natsionalni Druzhyny at Independence Square (see SMM Daily Report 18 March 2019). The Mission saw about 3,000 people (70 per cent men and 30 per cent women, 13-70 years old), some of whom were holding banners with messages critical of the government and alleging corruption amongst officials. The SMM saw about 50 dialogue police and about 25 National Police officers in uniform present. The protestors marched from the square to the building of the Presidential Administration at 11 Bankova Street, where the SMM observed 500-1,000 National Police and National Guard officers in riot gear. The SMM saw an additional 50 National Guard and 50 National Police officers in front of the National Bank at 11 Instytutska Street. At 16:00, the SMM saw about 400 people with their faces covered and wearing black clothing gathered at 6 Instytutska Street, and then walking up the same street. No incidents were observed.

Gatherings in front of the Embassy and Consulates-General of the Russian Federation in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv and Odessa

On 24 March, in front of the buildings of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Kyiv and of the Consulates-General in Lviv, Kharkiv and Odessa, the SMM monitored gatherings in support of a Ukrainian prisoner reportedly held in the Russian Federation. At all four locations, the SMM saw between six and 12 people assembled, as well as about 20 law enforcement agents. All gatherings ended without incidents.

The Mission continued monitoring in Kherson, Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipro and Chernivtsi.

*Restrictions of SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations. They have also agreed that the JCCC should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance. Nonetheless, the armed formations in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions frequently deny the SMM access to areas adjacent to Ukraine’s border outside control of the Government (for example, see below). The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remain restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April 2017 near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations.

Denial of access:

• On 23 March, an armed member of the armed formations at a checkpoint south-west of Molodizhne (non-government-controlled, 63km north-west of Luhansk) denied the SMM passage, citing a “mine threat”.
• On 24 March, at a checkpoint about 1km north of Zaichenko (non-government-controlled, 26km north-east of Mariupol), two armed members of the armed formations again denied the SMM passage south to Sakhanka (non-government-controlled, 24km north-east of Mariupol), citing “orders from their superiors”.
• On 24 March, while at a border crossing point near Dovzhanske (non-government-controlled, 84km south-east of Luhansk), a member of the armed formations told the SMM to leave the area.

Regular restrictions related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

• The sides continued to deny the SMM full access to the three disengagement areas, as well as the ability to travel certain roads previously identified as important for effective monitoring by the Mission and for civilians’ movement, through failure to conduct comprehensive clearance of mines and UXO.

[1]           For a complete breakdown of ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table. During the reporting period, the SMM camera in Krasnohorivka was not operational.

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate”.

[2]Disengagement is foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September 2016.

[3] Due to the presence of mines, including on a road between Bohdanivka and Petrivske, the SMM cannot access its camera in Petrivske, and thus the SMM has not been able to access observations from the camera since 22 June 2018.

[4] The hardware mentioned in this section is not proscribed by the provisions of the Minsk agreements on the withdrawal of weapons, unless otherwise specified.