Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 8 June 2015

This report is provided for the media and the general public.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations*. The SMM was unable to monitor in Shyrokyne due to security considerations. The SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted tanks and firing positions on both sides of the contact line.

The SMM heard and saw continued heavy weapons use from the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) observation post at the Donetsk Central Railway Station (“DPR”-controlled, 8km north-west of Donetsk city centre)[1]. From this location the SMM heard several bursts of small arms and heavy machine gun fire coming from the north. The SMM heard - at distances of between 3-5 kilometres - artillery, heavy machine guns and small arms fire coming from areas to the south-south-west, west, north-west, north and north-east. In Luhansk region, the SMM did not observe any heavy weapons use. In line with current security considerations, the SMM did not conduct monitoring activities in the area of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol), though an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) saw three houses burning in the village.

At the JCCC headquarters in government-controlled Soledar (77km north-north-east of Donetsk) the SMM were presented with separate ceasefire log files by representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and representatives of the Russian Federation Armed Forces. The Ukrainian Armed Forces logged 76 violations, including 22 in the Luhansk region, which was a point of concern for the Ukrainian Armed Forces Major General, head of the Ukrainian side to the JCCC. The Ukrainian Major General told the SMM that one civilian was killed and six Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers were injured in an explosion on a Ukrainian Coast Guard boat in the port of Mariupol. One soldier is missing following the incident. The Russian Federation Armed Forces logged 57 violations. The Russian Federation Colonel General noted that the situation in Marinka (23km west-south-west of Donetsk) had stabilised after fighting last week.

The head of the village council in government-controlled Hrodivka (42km north-west of Donetsk) told the SMM that there were currently approximately 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in the town, including 90 children, all of whom live in private accommodation and receive help from the local population. They are mainly displaced from government-controlled Avdiivka (15km north of Donetsk) and “DPR”-controlled Donetsk and Spartak (7km north-west of Donetsk). According to her, the council provides free access to water and electricity and some food items for IDPs. Despite this, the interlocutor said IDPs still struggle financially.

The head of the district court and the head of the prosecutor’s office in government-controlled Rubizhne (84km north-west of Luhansk) told the SMM that since September 2014 it had territorial jurisdiction for cases from “LPR”-controlled Pervomaisk (57km west of Luhansk) though case files have not been transferred from Pervomaisk. According to the interlocutors, all files were likely destroyed by shelling and consequently they face difficulty proceeding with criminal cases.

According to the checkpoint commander at the bridge in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk) civilians from the government-controlled side can pass food supplies to persons in “LPR”-controlled areas (without crossing the contact line).  The SMM observed 15 mostly elderly women waiting to pass the government-controlled checkpoint and hand over bags (thought to be containing foodstuffs).

Two female doctors at the community clinic in “LPR”-controlled Oleksandrivsk (11km west of Luhansk) told the SMM that due to a shortage of vaccinations, residents have to pay for these privately. Prior to the conflict, these were provided by the community clinic. The clinic lacks basic medicines, and staff have not received salaries since January 2015.

Despite claims that the withdrawal of heavy weapons was complete, the SMM observed the following weapons in areas that are in violation of Minsk withdrawal lines. In government-controlled Marinka (23km west-south-west of Donetsk), the SMM UAV observed mortar firing positions located in a residential area. In “DPR”-controlled Rozdolne (47km south-east of Donetsk) an SMM UAV spotted a concentration of nine main battle tanks (MBTs) in a residential area, one self-propelled howitzer (2S1) and 16 armoured personnel carriers (APCs). Eight towed artillery guns were seen by an SMM UAV in government-controlled Paraskoviivka (27km south-west of Donetsk). In “DPR”-controlled Yakovlivka (7km north-north-east of Donetsk) the SMM UAV saw three artillery pieces set up under camouflaged nets. In other “DPR”-controlled areas the SMM UAV saw five MBTs. At another location in a government-controlled area, the SMM observed a 120mm heavy mortar.

Representatives of the regional Department of Health in Dnepropetrovsk told the SMM that the region is lacking in vaccinations for tuberculosis, diphtheria and tetanus. Prior to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, they received vaccinations from suppliers in the Russian Federation, but now must find an alternative supplier. Interlocutors said that a regulation from the Ministry of Health had stopped trade in medicine with the Russian Federation in September 2014, and that the previous stock is now running low.

The SMM attended a press conference in Kyiv given by organizers of the Kyiv Equality March that was held on 6 June (see SMM Daily Report, 7 June. www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/162796). The organizers regard the fact that the march took place, and with police protection, as a positive sign. However, they said that they encountered opposition from some, including the police, whom they claimed tried to convince activists to cancel the event.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kharkiv, Odessa, Kherson, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv.

* Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement:

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by third parties and security considerations including the presence of mines, the lack of information on whereabouts of landmines and damaged infrastructure.

The security situation in Donbas is fluid and unpredictable and the cease-fire does not hold everywhere.

• A barricaded road at the entrance to government-controlled Andriivka (41km north-north-east of Mariupol) prevented the SMM from reaching Kamianka, Novoselivka and Novoselivka Druga (all government-controlled, between 36-38km north-north-east of Mariupol).  

[1]  For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table.