Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 28 October 2015
This report is for the media and the general public.
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.
The SMM observed a relatively calm situation in most parts of Donetsk region with occasional explosions in areas adjacent to Donetsk city. At the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) observation post at Donetsk railway station (“Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled, 6km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard five explosions approximately 5km west of its position.[1] The Russian Federation Armed Forces officers at the JCCC told the SMM that the Ukrainian Armed Forces officers had not returned to the observation post since 26 October due to security concerns (see SMM Daily Report 28 October 2015).
While in government-controlled Pervomaiske (16km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard 15 explosions and small-arms fire some 6km north-west of its location. A group of residents told the SMM that the sounds originated from the shooting range near government-controlled Umanske (23km north-west of Donetsk). The SMM also heard 20 unidentified explosions to the north-east of its base in Volnovakha (52km south-west of Donetsk).
The SMM followed up on information that a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier was killed in the area of government-controlled Opytne (12km north-east of Donetsk) on 27 October. The unit commander of the deceased soldier told the SMM that an unidentified armed group had approached their positions and shot the soldier in his trench, at short range. The SMM saw a flak jacket with entry and exit holes in it, which purportedly belonged to the deceased. According to the commander, the body of the soldier was returned to the relatives.
During its visit to “DPR”-controlled Uspenka (75km south-east of Donetsk) border crossing point at the Ukraine-Russian Federation border, the SMM observed at least 90 cargo trucks queuing to cross into the Russian Federation. In the proximity of government-controlled Novotroitske (40km south-west of Donetsk) the SMM noted a 2.5 km-long queue of civilian vehicles, waiting to cross into “DPR”-controlled areas.
The overall situation in Luhansk region remained relatively calm. Whilst in “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Orlivske (43km south-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard four unidentified explosions to the north-west of its position.
The SMM talked with three residents (men in their 40-50s) in government-controlled Katerynivka (62km west of Luhansk). They said that crossing the contact line was a major concern for villagers in Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk) area since “LPR” checkpoints were only open for crossing to the government-controlled side during 08:00–20:00hrs. According to them, this hampered miners and other residents working on the government-controlled side from reaching the mines on time in the morning and returning to their homes in the evenings.
The SMM visited two and revisited another two Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent weapon storage sites. It confirmed the presence of the declared weapons at three of these sites, as stipulated in the Addendum to the Package of measures. At the fourth location the SMM noted, on 27 October, the absence of one main battle tank (MBT) (T-72). The interlocutors claimed the tank was moved out for maintenance, which goes against the provisions of the Addendum to the Package of measures.
On 28 October the SMM monitored the withdrawal of “DPR” artillery (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) from areas close to the contact line to a designated weapon storage site, which did not correspond with the weapons’ respective withdrawal lines. The SMM confirmed the presence of the declared weapons as listed on the previously received inventory lists. The SMM also visited one “LPR” weapon storage site and confirmed the presence of the declared weapons, as stipulated in the Addendum to the Package of measures.
The SMM revisited seven Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding areas in locations which corresponded with respective withdrawal lines. The SMM spotted that 22 weapons were absent at four locations. Six towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) were absent from one location – one of which had been recorded as missing on 9 July. Five other howitzers (Msta-B) were absent from the second area, four of which were recorded as absent during this visit. Six multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) were absent from the third location, which has been recorded as abandoned since 12 July. All five MLRS (BM-21) were absent from the fourth area, which was abandoned on 24 September (see SMM Daily Report 25 September 2015). Similarly, the SMM revisited two “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas, whose locations corresponded with respective withdrawal lines. The SMM observed that one self-propelled howitzer (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) was missing at one of the locations.
On the road segment between government-controlled Soledar (76km north-east of Donetsk) and the M03/E40 road junction, the SMM observed, in violation of the respective withdrawal lines, four trucks towing four howitzers (D-20, 152mm) and moving south-west. Similarly, in violation of the withdrawal lines, the SMM saw 12 MLRS (BM-21) moving south-west of government-controlled Kostiantynivka (55km north of Donetsk).
At a training ground beyond the respective withdrawal lines, in the area of “LPR”-controlled Uspenka (23km south-west of Luhansk), the SMM saw nine self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm calibre), 20 MBTs (T-64), and four military-type trucks. In the area of “LPR”-controlled Kruhlyk (31km south-west of Luhansk), which has been used for training purposes, the SMM observed 20 MBTs (T-64) in static position.
In Kyiv the SMM monitored a semi-permanent gathering organized by the Radical Party in front of the Cabinet of Ministers, protesting against the increase in utility rates. The SMM observed some 700 people, including 400-500 elderly pensioners, predominantly women. There were approximately 40 tents on the sidewalk in front of the governmental building, displaying banners from various regions of Ukraine. The protest was well organized, with points of food and tea distribution, mobile toilets, a stage, and several fire stoves for heating. At least 12 policemen were guarding the entrance to the Cabinet of Ministers. During the SMM presence the event was conducted in a calm and peaceful manner.
The SMM monitored another protest, conducted in the city of Odessa. About 350-400 supporters (70% male, mixed age) of a main opposition candidate had gathered near the local territorial administrative court. The court examined an election dispute that alleged the falsification of results in two of the Odessa voting districts, aimed to favour the incumbent mayor. Some 150 (70% male, mixed age) supporters of the incumbent mayor were also present. The SMM observed 70 uniformed police officers and some 20 riot police members on standby. During an instance of tension, when the two camps were about to clash, the uniformed police separated the protesting groups. The protesters later dispersed peacefully.
The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kharkiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Kherson, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Chernivtsi.
*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate
The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by the parties and security considerations, including mine threats, damaged infrastructure, and the unpredictability of the situation in Donbas. Armed individuals continue to prevent the SMM from monitoring most areas close to the border with the Russian Federation in parts of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government.
Denied access:
- In Novotroitske, Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel stopped the SMM and prevented it from visiting the eastern part of the village, without explanation. The SMM left;
- The SMM visited a “border guard detachment” facility in the “LPR”-controlled Biriukove (74km south-east of Luhansk). A “border guard officer” came outside the gates of the facility, restricted the SMM from entering it, and took note of all SMM names and car plate numbers. The SMM left the area shortly after this.
* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate”