Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 1 November 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*. The SMM recorded a sharp increase in the number of ceasefire violations at and around Donetsk airport on 1 November.

On 31 October, the SMM noted kinetic activity in a number of locations in Donetsk region[1]. Positioned at “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Donetsk railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard two explosions 5-6km to the north, one burst of small-arms fire 3km to the north, and one incoming explosion 3km to the north-north-west. Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 12 explosions 7-12km to the north-north-east. Positioned in “DPR-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard eight explosions 12km to the south-east.

On 1 November, the SMM – positioned at Donetsk railway station – heard 114 explosions 3-5km to the west-north-west. In addition, it heard multiple bursts of fire from anti-aircraft guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, machine-guns, heavy-machine-guns, and other small-arms and light-weapons.

Following up on reports of a shelling incident – in which a civilian had allegedly been injured – the previous day in a “DPR”-controlled area 8km north-west of Donetsk, the SMM on 31 October visited the scene. The SMM observed traces of fresh blood and fresh mortar shrapnel. The SMM did not see craters at the scene. Later, at the Donbas Trauma Hospital in Donetsk, the wife of the alleged victim told the SMM that the man was currently undergoing surgery.

The situation remained relatively calm in most areas of Luhansk region. On 31 October in government-controlled Lopaskyne (24km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM did, however, hear six or seven rounds of heavy-machine-gun fire 1km to the east. Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in the area told the SMM that the shots had been fired by Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in response to what they described as suspicious movement on the government-controlled side of the Siverskyi Donets river. The following day, a local female resident told the SMM that she had seen three armed personnel – whom she thought had been “LPR” members – near the village the previous day.

On 31 October in “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Yuzhno-Lomuvatka (57km south-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard three shots, fired from an unidentified weapon.

On 31 October, at an “LPR” checkpoint close to Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed at least 50 people waiting to cross to government-controlled areas. The checkpoint “commander” told the SMM that 400 people had crossed to government-controlled areas earlier that day. He added that up to 1,300 people had crossed the bridge in both directions the previous day. The SMM observed approximately 60 people waiting to cross the bridge at a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint on the other side of the bridge.

On 31 October, at a border crossing point on the Ukraine-Russian Federation  border in “LPR”-controlled Krasnodarskyi (57km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM noted the presence of one “LPR” “border guard”. He told the SMM that “LPR” “border guards” were present there on an irregular basis. At a border crossing point in “LPR”-controlled Nyzhnia Harasymivka (59km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM did not see any “LPR” “border guards”.

On 1 November in government-controlled Svatove (127km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM noted damage to roofs and windows of houses within a three-kilometre radius around an ammunition depot which exploded on 29 October (see SMM Daily Report 31 October 2015). The head of the State Emergency Services told the SMM that gas, electricity and water supplies had been restored, and that residents evacuated following the explosion – apart from those whose homes were deemed unsafe or had been destroyed – had returned home. The mayor of Svatove told the SMM that 5,000 of the town’s 20,000 residents had been evacuated. He raised concerns about the possible impact of the explosion on local industry, as the depot is close to an industrial area and some factory buildings had suffered major damage. The presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) could also affect industrial production, he added. The SMM observed a significant amount of UXO scattered in the fields around the depot, and demining teams working to neutralize them.

In a supermarket in Luhansk city and an open-air market in “LPR”-controlled Velyka Verhunka (7km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM noted shops well-stocked – compared to a month ago – with food and sanitary items. In comparison to September, the price of basic products had risen by approximately 10%, and in comparison to July, by more than 30%, the SMM noted.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of measures, the SMM on 31 October revisited two Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent weapons storage sites whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines. The SMM verified that all weapons previously recorded were present.

The SMM revisited four “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas whose locations corresponded with respective withdrawal lines. At one area, the SMM noted that six mortars (120mm, PM-38) were absent, as has been the case with two since 4 October and four since 12 October. At the second site, “DPR” members denied the SMM access*. At the third holding area, the SMM observed that all previously-recorded weapons were present, while at the fourth, the SMM noted the absence of one howitzer (2S1 Gvozdika).

In “LPR”-controlled areas outside the security zone, the SMM observed on 31 October eight self-propelled howitzers (122mm Gvozdika) at a training ground in the area of Uspenka (23km south-west of Luhansk); and, on 1 November 23 stationary main battle tanks close to a training ground in the area of Kruhlyk (31km south-west of Luhansk). It observed five howitzers (D-30, 122mm) close to a training ground in the area of Uspenka the following day. The SMM was unable to check serial numbers to verify the withdrawal of weapons in accordance with the Minsk package.

On 31 October, the SMM observed over 1,000 people – mostly young men and women – outside the Regional State Administration building in Dnepropetrovsk, protesting against the arrest of Hennadii Korban, leader of UKROP political party and former deputy head of the Dnepropetrovsk Regional State Administration. Among the protesters, the SMM noted the presence of approximately 300 people in military-type fatigues, mostly members of the Right Sector, and some Sich and Azov volunteer battalions members (under the command of the Ministry of Internal Affairs). Initially, 20-30 uniformed police were present, and a bus-load of riot police arrived later. After almost two hours, the protesters dispersed peacefully. 

On 1 November in Lviv, the SMM observed approximately 250 people – of mixed age and gender – at a commemoration dedicated to the 97th anniversary of the establishment of the West Ukrainian People’s Republic (ZUNR). The mayor of Lviv, among other people, addressed the crowd. The SMM saw two police cars. The event passed off peacefully.

On 31 October, the SMM observed approximately 150-200 people (different ages, mostly between 20 and 30, 60% male) in front of President Poroshenko’s private residence on the southern outskirts of Kyiv. The SMM noted “Auto Maidan” flags and banners accusing the Prosecutor General of failing to combat corruption. Regular and anti-riot police and National Guards members were present. The protest passed off peacefully.

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

*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:

• On 1 November in government-controlled Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk), Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint personnel refused to allow the SMM to proceed on the grounds that the checkpoint had recently come under sniper fire.
• On 31 October, “DPR” members denied the SMM access to a “DPR” heavy weapons holding area, stating they could not reach their “commander”. Access to this area has been consistently denied to the SMM since 21 July.

Delayed access:

• On 1 November, near “LPR”-controlled Uralo-Kavkaz (45km south-east of Luhansk), “LPR” “customs officer” held the SMM for 15 minutes and demanded to see their patrol plan.

Conditional access:

• On 31 October close to “LPR”-controlled Uralo-Kavkaz (45km south-east of Luhansk), “LPR” “border guards” allowed the SMM to continue on to the “LPR”-controlled border zone along the Ukraine-Russian Federation border on condition of accepting an “escort”.

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

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