News and press releases

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period, though the overall situation remained tense. Most of the ceasefire violations were recorded in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The Mission followed up on reports of casualties and saw damage caused by shelling on both sides of the contact line, including in Avdiivka and Makiivka and observed the evacuation of children from Avdiivka.

VIENNA / KYIV, 3 February 2017 – The use of indiscriminate force in densely populated areas in eastern Ukraine is unacceptable. It must stop immediately and the sides need to cease fire now, said today OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier as he condemned the surge in fighting.

KYIV, 3 February 2017 – The safety of journalists in Ukraine can be improved through legislative amendments and a better response from law enforcement agencies, said speakers at a conference which opened in Kyiv today, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, UNESCO and the Institute for Mass Information.

KYIV, 3 February 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic today called for all sides in the conflict-affected area in Ukraine to increase their efforts to ensure safety of journalists.

VIENNA, 24 January 2017 – Following the latest Report of the Chief Monitor of the Special Monitoring Mission to the OSCE Permanent Council, the Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the continued deterioration of media freedom and safety of journalists in conflict-affected parts of Ukraine...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions to those recorded in the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of a civilian casualty in Olenivka, and observed damage caused by shelling in Novoselivka. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* In Lopaskyne, the SMM was denied access by Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel waving a gun; and in Pikuzy the SMM could not proceed as “DPR” members did not remove mines despite the presence of Russian Federation Armed Forces Major-General of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination.The Mission continued to monitor weapons’ withdrawal. The Mission facilitated and monitored repairs of essential infrastructure in Orikhove, Krasnyi Lyman and in Slovianoserbsk. The SMM observed a demonstration in Kyiv...

The security situation remained tense both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions over the weekend. The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions between the evenings of 13 and 14 January compared with the previous reporting period. On 15 January the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in each region.