News and press releases

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region – including, however, fewer explosions – compared with the previous reporting period. It recorded more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Zolote and heard one explosion assessed as outside the Stanytsia Luhanska area. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* The SMM visited a border area not under government control. The Mission observed almost 40 trucks- some marked with “Humanitarian Aid from the Russian Federation”- travelling towards Makiivka in Donetsk region and moving east near Teple in Luhansk region.

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. In both Donetsk and Luhansk regions the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations and explosions compared with the previous reporting period. It followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Avdiivka, Donetsk city and Pikuzy.

Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 19 May 2017

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. The Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines.

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. The Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including, however, more explosions. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period.

KYIV (24 April)-- The entire OSCE Special Monitoring Mission is filled with great sorrow at the loss of a team member while conducting a patrol near non-government controlled Pyshyb in the Luhansk region yesterday morning.

On 23 April an SMM patrol consisting of six members and two armoured vehicles was driving near “LPR”-controlled Pryshyb (34km north-west of Luhansk) on a secondary road previously used by the SMM. At 11:17, one of the SMM vehicles (second in line), with three members on board, was severely damaged as a result of an explosion, possibly after coming into contact with a mine.