News and press releases

The SMM saw fresh tracks assessed as caused by an infantry fighting vehicle leading south from “DPR”-controlled Lukove (72km south of Donetsk). At 13:47, while following the tracks, it was stopped by two armed “DPR” members who blocked the road with a camouflaged-style jeep (vehicle #1) and pointed their guns at the SMM. They ordered the SMM to leave the area, which they did.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous day. The largest concentration of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region was recorded during night hours in the area of Horlivka and Svitlodarsk, while during the day the Donetsk city area was most kinetic. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Novoazovsk, shelling in Troitske, and conducted crater analysis in Novotoshkivske.

Italy is to chair the OSCE in 2018, following a consensus decision of the OSCE’s 57 participating States on 27 July 2016. “This decision fully represents the recognition of our country’s commitment and desire to actively contribute to peace and stability in Europe,” said Italy’s Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni in Rome, welcoming the decision...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous day. The largest concentration of ceasefire violations was recorded in the area north of Donetsk city centre and Svitlodarsk. The SMM conducted crater analysis in Dokuchaievsk and Novotoshkivske. Concerning the 25 July incidents with the SMM mini UAV, the Russian Federation Armed Forces representative to the JCCC told the SMM that those responsible had been identified and disciplinary measures had been taken. The Mission continued to observe heavy weapons in violation of respective withdrawal lines. The SMM could not access proposed areas for disengagement in Petrivske, and continued to note the presence of unexploded ordnance. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on four occasions, all in areas outside government control...

VIENNA, 28 July 2016 – Urgent steps are needed by the sides in eastern Ukraine to ensure full respect for the ceasefire and reduce the impact of the violence on civilians, said the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group Martin Sajdik and the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Ertugrul Apakan in their addresses to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today...

An SMM long-range UAV crashed near Avdiivka; Ukrainian Armed Forces recovered debris and handed them over to the SMM. The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, with less explosions noted in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata area and none in the Shyrokyne area.

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation, 27 July 2016- The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic increased at both BCPs...