News and press releases

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including 255 explosions compared with 198 in the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, most assessed as live-fire exercise at a training area outside the security zone. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. The SMM noted progress in demining and removal of obstacles in Zolote. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement, including in the areas of Petrivske and Zolote, on both sides of the Shchastia bridge, as well as at a border area currently not under government control.* The SMM observed lack of water supply in several areas north of Luhansk. The Mission monitored the departure of internally displaced persons from Odessa towards areas not under government control in Donetsk region...

SKOPJE, 30 September 2016 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 2016 Autumn Meeting, bringing together some 170 parliamentarians from across the OSCE’s 57 participating States, opened today in Skopje with addresses by OSCE PA President Christine Muttonen and host officials...

The SMM noted an increase in the number of ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It was restricted in its freedom of movement, including in the areas of Petrivske and Zolote. The SMM observed the presence of mines and saw demining being carried out. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians in areas near the contact line...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including 144 explosions, more than half of them recorded in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area, compared with 187 explosions in the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including six explosions, compared with one single violation in the previous reporting period. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process near Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske, and Zolote, and it noted a relatively calm situation. The Mission was restricted nine times in its freedom of movement, including on both sides of the Shchastia bridge and in the disengagement areas near Petrivske-Bohdanivka and Zolote-Pervomaisk. It was also blocked by a crowd at a “DPR” checkpoint near Horlivka. The Mission continued to facilitate and monitor repair works in Luhansk region. The SMM monitored one border area not controlled by the Government. In Odessa the SMM continued to monitor the security situation surrounding the protest against the mayor and followed up on an alleged arson attack on one of the protestors’ tents...

A two-day seminar aimed at fostering internal co-operation and co-ordination between the uniformed police and criminal investigation departments, organized by the OSCE Mission to Skopje, in co-operation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, began on 29 September 2016 in Skopje...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including 187 explosions compared with 24 in the previous reporting period, with most of them concentrated in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport triangle area. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded a single ceasefire violation (one burst) compared with the previous reporting period (five explosions). The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process near Petrivske, Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote and noted a calm situation. The Mission was restricted in its freedom of movement, including in disengagement areas near Petrivske and Zolote. The SMM monitored one border area currently not under government control...

KYIV, 28 September 2016 – The draft regulation on psychological rehabilitation and psycho-social support of ex-combatants, their families and other conflict-affected people, developed with the support of OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, was put for public discussion today at a presentation in Kyiv...