News and press releases

At 9:45hrs on 7 April, while an SMM patrol, comprised of four SMM members in two armoured vehicles, was 3.5km north-east of Snizhne (“DPR”-controlled, 72km east of Donetsk) near the administrative boundary between Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the driver of the front SMM vehicle heard the trunk window crackling. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, the SMM noted on the lower right part of the trunk window a hole, 5mm in diameter, assessed to be caused by a bullet...

KYIV, 7 April 2016 – Ertugrul Apakan, Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), expressed concern today regarding the highest level of ceasefire violations in the Donetsk region since the sides recommitted to the ceasefire in September 2015. He noted as particularly troubling the extremely high number of incidents involving the use of heavy weapons and mortars...

The SMM observed a slightly lower number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region the situation remained relatively calm, with a low number of ceasefire violations recorded. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and facilitate and monitor repair works on the water supply system in Slovianoserbsk. The SMM followed up on a report of shelling in Kominternove. The Mission visited two border crossing points in areas not controlled by the Government. It encountered freedom of movement restrictions on both sides of the contact line*...

VIENNA, 7 April 2016 – The OSCE Permanent Council today decided to extend the mandate of the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian border checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk by three months, until 31 July 2016...

CHISINAU, 6 April 2016- On 5 and 6 April 2016, visits to Chisinau and Tiraspol were made by the mediators and the observers in the Permanent Conference on Political Issues in the Framework of the Negotiation Process on the Transdniestrian Settlement in the 5+2 format...

In Donetsk region, the SMM continued to record a high number of ceasefire violations – fewer explosions, but more single shots compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region the situation remained relatively calm, with a single firing incident recorded. The SMM observed long lines at checkpoints close to the contact line. The Mission reached three border crossing points in areas not controlled by the Government. It encountered freedom of movement restrictions on both sides of the contact line...

The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic decreased at both BCPs...