News and press releases

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region as in the previous reporting period, with the majority concentrated in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area and areas north-east and east of Mariupol. In Luhansk region, the SMM did not record ceasefire violations. The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and faced restrictions of its freedom of movement in all three areas, including jamming of its unmanned aerial vehicle.* The Mission monitored a border area in an area under government control in Luhansk region and one in Odessa. The SMM observed long queues at the entry-exit checkpoints near Stanytsia Luhanska during the morning hours.

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region, compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and faced restrictions of its freedom of movement in all three areas, as well as on eight other occasions.* The Mission monitored a border area currently not under government-control. The SMM facilitated and monitored repair work on both sides of the contact line. In Kyiv the Mission continued to monitor public gatherings around the National Bank of Ukraine and the Cabinet of Ministers...

On 24 November 2016 at 06:34 (Moscow time), the 56th Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 17 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guards and customs services prior to them crossing into Ukraine. All of the 17 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 14:30 hrs on 24 November...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission recorded multiple rockets in flight in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. It continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its movement on three occasions.* The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on a further five instances. The SMM monitored three border areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM facilitated and monitored repair works on both sides of the contact line...

MINSK, 23 November 2016 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Martin Sajdik made the following press statement after the meeting of the TCG and its Working Groups in Minsk on 23 November 2016:

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous reporting period. In Donetsk region most ceasefire violations concentrated in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area and areas north-east and east of Mariupol. The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and faced restrictions of its freedom of movement in all three areas.* The SMM’s freedom of movement was further restricted on seven occasions (three in government-controlled areas and four in areas not under government control). In Marinka the SMM saw school children and staff moving from classrooms to a shelter after they had heard explosions; during its observation in the school the SMM also heard explosions in close proximity. The SMM monitored two border areas currently not under government control. On the evening of 21 November in Kyiv, the Mission continued to monitor a public gathering, where incidents were registered...

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons decreased at both BCPs...