News and press releases

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the incident of 23 April near Pryshyb, which limited the Mission’s observations, including of ceasefire violations. Between the evenings of 28 and 29 April the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, while between the evenings of 29 and 30 April it recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations – including, however, fewer explosions – compared with the previous 24 hours...

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the incident of 23 April near Pryshyb, which limits its observations, including of ceasefire violations. An explosion and small-arms fire occurred close to the SMM near Molodizhne and Kruta Hora. The Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM followed up on reports of a civilian casualty in Yasynuvata. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access there and elsewhere remained restricted.* The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM observed for the first time the presence of a mine hazard sign inside the security zone near Popasne. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints. The SMM monitored a border area currently not under government control. The SMM monitored a protest outside the Russian Federation Consulate in Odessa...

On 28 April an SMM patrol consisting of six members and two armoured vehicles was positioned at an “LPR”-checkpoint approximately 1.5km south-west of “LPR”-controlled Molodizhne (63km north-west of Luhansk) speaking with an armed “LPR” member. At 12:17, the patrol members were proceeding to their vehicles to depart the area when the same “LPR” member began waving his hand at the SMM, indicating that the patrol should depart quickly. At 12:20, from inside their vehicles, the SMM heard an explosion assessed as an airburst about 50-100m north-west. At the same time, the SMM saw a cloud of black smoke rising above the mentioned location; no impact was observed from the distance. The SMM could not assess the cause of the explosion. The SMM immediately left the area and returned safely to its base in “LPR”-controlled Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, 50km west of Luhansk)...

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the incident of 23 April near Pryshyb, which affected its observations, including of ceasefire violations. The Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region but fewer in Luhansk region, compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted at all three and elsewhere.* The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure in Luhansk region. The Mission continued to monitor the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. The SMM visited a border area currently not under government control near Voznesenivka...

VIENNA, 28 April 2017- The OSCE Permanent Council issued in Vienna yesterday a declaration of support for the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine following the tragic incident in eastern Ukraine on 23 April in which an SMM patrol member was killed in the line of duty by an explosion...

VIENNA, 27 April 2017 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier firmly condemn tonight’s attack on the Parliament building in Skopje. Violence can not substitute for political solutions. Such solutions must be found within the democratic processes in a responsible manner...

MINSK, 27 April 2017 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG and its three working groups in Minsk on 26 April 2017:..