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Ukraine

Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 18 August 2016

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM observed a decrease in the number of explosions (450) recorded in Donetsk region compared with the previous day. In Luhansk region the SMM observed an increase in the number of explosions (700) recorded compared with the day before. The SMM carried out crater analysis and observed the results of shelling on both sides of the contact line in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The Mission monitored three border areas not controlled by the Government, faced restrictions at one and was denied access to another. The SMM continued to observe a calm situation along the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM faced four freedom-of-movement restrictions, three of them in areas not controlled by the Government.

The SMM noted a decrease in the number of ceasefire violations observed in Donetsk region compared with the previous day with 450 explosions recorded.[1]

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), on the night of 17-18 August the SMM heard and saw 53 explosions assessed as outgoing artillery (152mm) rounds in 24 minutes, at least 128 explosions assessed as impacts of mortar (100 from 120mm, 28 of 82mm) rounds, 13 explosions assessed as impacts of artillery (122mm) rounds, at least 10 undetermined explosions, heard 22 undetermined explosions of tank fire, 34 bursts of incoming and outgoing automatic-grenade-launcher fire, at least 30 bursts of automatic-cannon fire (possibly ZU-23 or BMP-2) and bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, all approximately 2-6km south-west, west and north-west of its location.

During the same night, while in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard ten undetermined explosions 8-10km north-north-west of its location.

Positioned at “DPR”-controlled Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM heard 49 undetermined explosions 3-8km north, north-north-east and north-north-west of its position.

On the night of 17 August, the SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north-west of Donetsk) recorded 31 impacts and two airbursts, all 4-8km south-south-east, south-east and east of its location. Additionally, the camera recorded what was assessed as three unmanned aerial vehicles flying from north to south. During the day the camera recorded ten undetermined impacts 4-8km south-south-west, east and south-east of its location. Positioned in Avdiivka the SMM heard seven explosions assessed as outgoing mortar (82mm) rounds 3km east and seven assessed as impacts of mortar (82mm) rounds 6-7km south-south-east; nine explosions assessed as outgoing rounds 7-8km south-south-east; seven explosions assessed as outgoing mortar (82mm) rounds 3km east; and bursts of automatic-grenade-launcher, heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire.

Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 27 undetermined explosions 3-8km south-west, west-south-west, north-west and north-north-west of its position.

While in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM heard five explosions assessed as artillery (152mm) impacts, 57 bursts of anti-aircraft-gun fire (ZU-23, 23mm), heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire all 3-5km east of its position.

On the night of 17-18 August the SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded at least 39 undetermined explosions, 45 shots of indirect tracer fire from north-east (Shyrokyne) to south-east (Sakhanka), three tracers fired from south-west to north-east, six shots of indirect tracer fire from the south-west to the east and north-east, and two illumination flares: one to the north-east (Vodiane area) and another to the north.

Positioned in government-controlled Rybynske (49km south of Mariupol) the SMM heard 14 undetermined explosions 3-5km south-east, north-north-east and north-west.

In Luhansk region the SMM observed an increase in the number of ceasefire violations compared with the previous day with over 700 explosions recorded. On the night of 17 August, while in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM heard a total of 482 undetermined explosions assessed as impacts and outgoing rounds (from north-west to south-east and from south-east to north-west) from multiple weapon systems, in the vicinity of the pedestrian and railway bridges that cross the river/contact line (3.5-4km south-south-west). Between 20:42 and 21:40, the SMM observed up to 132 undetermined explosions and machine-gun bursts. Between 21:50 and 23:05, the SMM observed up to 318 undetermined explosions and uncountable bursts of machine-gun fire. Later on, between 23:11 and 23:20, the SMM observed up to ten undetermined explosions and bursts of machine-gun fire. Between 23:28 and 23:45, the SMM observed up to 22 undetermined explosions.

Overnight, while in “LPR”-controlled Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, 50km west of Luhansk) the SMM heard four explosions (assessed as artillery) about 5-10km away in an unknown direction. During the daytime, the SMM heard 113 explosions (assessed as artillery) – including 80 in a 34-minute period – in areas at least 10km east and 10-15km south.

Positioned in “LPR”-controlled Khoroshe (36km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 65 explosions (assessed as artillery) about 15-20km south-west. Positioned in government-controlled Raihorodka (34km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 15 explosions (assessed as artillery) more than 10km south. Positioned near “LPR”-controlled Krasnyi Lyman (30km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard ten undetermined explosions approximately 2km north-west.

Positioned in government-controlled Lobacheve (17km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard seven or eight undetermined explosions 10km east. Positioned in government-controlled Trokhizbenka (33km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard seven undetermined explosions 6-7km south, and 50 bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire 500m south.

The SMM observed the results of shelling and analysed craters on both sides of the contact line. Accompanied by a Russian Federation Armed Forces officer from the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) and armed “DPR” members, the SMM observed the effects of shelling in the Donetsk city districts of Petrovskyi (15km south-west of Donetsk city centre) and Kirovskyi (9km south-west of Donetsk city centre). At one site in Petrovskyi district the SMM observed that a round had passed through the south-west facing façade of an exterior fence creating a fresh crater in the yard of a house. The SMM observed shrapnel damage to the wall and broken windows. The interior ceiling of the house was damaged by shrapnel. A metal fence had a hole in it. Crater analysis indicated that the projectile was fired from a west-south-westerly direction. The owners of the house (a couple in their sixties) told the SMM that a shell struck at approximately 02:00 on 15 August. Neighbours corroborated the date and time of the shelling. No casualties were reported. The SMM analyzed a second fresh crater in the middle of the road a short distance away. The SMM observed shattered windows and shrapnel damage to a parked car. Analysis of the crater indicated it had been caused by a projectile – possibly a mortar based on the fuse found at the scene – fired from a west-south-westerly direction. A couple aged in their sixties showed the SMM a pile of debris that they said was caused when a shell hit their shed. The SMM saw damage to neighbouring houses including one that had been severely damaged by fire as a result of shelling, according to residents. In Kirovskyi district, the SMM saw a fresh crater in the yard of a house and observed shrapnel damage to nearby walls. Analysis of the crater (and remnants in it) indicated that it was caused by a 120mm mortar fired from a west-south-westerly direction.

In government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed a fresh impact to the north-east-facing corner wall of a fourth floor apartment and assessed that it was caused by a projectile (likely a 122mm artillery round) fired from an east-north-easterly direction. No casualties were reported. At a nearby factory the SMM observed nine fresh craters. The SMM examined one crater close to a military compound in the neighbourhood. The SMM found a fuse (RGM-2M) assessed as part of a 122mm artillery round. Crater analysis indicated that the round was fired from an east-north-easterly direction.

The SMM observed damage it assessed as the result of recent shelling in “DPR”-controlled Kashtanove (13km north of Donetsk), accompanied by a Russian Federation Armed Forces officer from the JCCC. In a walled-in, paved area behind a café the SMM saw fresh shrapnel marks on a north-west wall and damage to a storage building nearby, but no obvious crater. The SMM assessed that a shell had impacted on a nearby metal bin and detonated, resulting in the explosion occurring above the ground. Based on the damage caused and the shrapnel side spray the SMM assessed that a 122mm or larger artillery shell had been fired from a north-north-westerly direction. The SMM observed that a high voltage power line had been severed, assessed as caused by the shelling. A security guard told the SMM that the shelling had taken place at approximately 00:30hrs, causing no injuries.

In “DPR”-controlled Pikuzy (former Kominternove, 23km north-east of Mariupol) a group of residents (women, three aged in their forties and one in her seventies) told the SMM that at 07:30 they heard five impacts at the western end of the village. The SMM saw two fresh craters approximately 20 metres from a house, one of which was in a garden, and a “DPR” checkpoint within 100 metres. The SMM observed shattered windows to the house. The SMM assessed the craters were caused by 120mm mortars fired from a south-south-westerly direction. According to the residents no one was injured.

Ukrainian Armed Forces officers from the JCCC showed the SMM shell impacts and damage to Ukrainian positions on the bridge at Stanytsia Luhanska that they said had taken place during the exchange recorded by the SMM the previous night. The SMM saw that containers and bunkers had sustained impacts and that tires used to reinforce positions were smouldering. Part of the newly constructed shelter providing shade for civilians was damaged. Grass had been burnt in the area. Fragments of what was assessed as rocket-propelled grenades were observed. The SMM assessed that the fire had originated from south and south-easterly directions. The SMM saw damage to two houses in Barbashova Street. The female owner (aged in her fifties) of one of the houses showed the SMM two shattered windows on the southern side of the house and burnt possessions inside. The SMM observed the house had no electricity and saw an elderly man attempting to reconnect the power, which they said was cut when the shells hit. The SMM assessed the damage to have been caused by projectiles fired from a southerly direction. No casualties were reported. Between Ukrainian Armed Forces and “LPR” positions on the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north of Luhansk) the SMM analyzed three fresh craters, assessed as resulting from the exchange on the night of 17 August. All craters indicated the direction of fire as being from a north-north-westerly direction. One was assessed as caused by an 82mm mortar round, another by automatic-grenade-launcher round and one by a rocket-propelled grenade.

The management of the water filtration plant in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk) told the SMM that their facility had been shelled at approximately 05:30 on 17 August. They also informed the SMM that the plant served Svitlodarsk and the government-controlled village of Ulianivka (approximately 12,800 people); and that it was the exclusive source of water for the Svitlodarsk power plant. According to management, two shells exploded in the immediate vicinity of the plant. The SMM saw that a shell had struck one of the reserve tanks, completely destroying it. As a result, they said the plant could operate at about half its capacity, and the plant’s management foresaw a serious water shortage. The SMM saw a fresh crater on an asphalt driveway on the west side of the building, about ten metres from the outside wall. The concrete wall of the building was lacerated with shrapnel, and all the windows on both floors were blown out. Damage inside the building was extensive. The management told the SMM that no one had been injured, including staff working the night shift. Neither impact was suitable for analysis.

In a residential area west of “LPR”-controlled Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov), the SMM observed three fresh craters and assessed them as caused by 152mm artillery rounds fired from westerly (one crater) and west-north-westerly (two craters) directions. At one site, the SMM saw a crater on the side of a road and shrapnel damage to walls of houses, gas pipelines and power lines. At a second site, a crater was found in a yard between three houses, where the SMM saw shrapnel damage to power lines, a utility pole, and walls and roofs of two of the surrounding houses. At a third site, the SMM observed a crater in a vacant yard adjacent to a road and saw a large tree had been felled, which it assessed as a result of shelling. Five residents (three males approximately 60-years old and two females in their seventies) told the SMM that shelling had taken place between 00:20 and 00:30 that morning.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, in implementation of the Package of Measures and its Addendum, as well as the Minsk Memorandum.

Beyond withdrawal lines the SMM observed an SA-8 tactical surface-to-air missile launcher (9K33 Osa, 210mm) heading north near government-controlled Novooleksiivka (70km south of Donetsk).

The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage does not comply with the criteria set out in the 16 October 2015 notification. In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed 33 anti-tank guns (2A29/MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) and noted that 12 continued to be missing, 11 since 12 June 2016 and one since 24 April 2016.

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles (ACV) in the security zone: two infantry fighting vehicles (BMP) in Debaltseve.

The SMM monitored three border areas not controlled by the Government, faced restrictions at one and was denied access to another. Armed “LPR” members stopped the SMM 5km from the border in the vicinity of “LPR”-controlled Leonove (formerly Chervonyi Zhovten, 82km south of Luhansk) and told the SMM that if they wanted to travel toward the border crossing point, the “LPR” members needed the permission of their superiors to let the SMM pass.* The SMM left the area. At the “LPR”-controlled Izvaryne (52km south-east of Luhansk) border crossing point, an armed “LPR” member took the names and ID numbers of SMM monitors.* During 15 minutes of observation the SMM noted around 120 cars (with Ukrainian and Russian plates); ten covered cargo trucks and three buses, all with Ukrainian licence plates. Over 25 minutes observation at the “LPR”-controlled Dovzhanskyi (84km south-east of Luhansk) border crossing point, the SMM observed around 30 passenger cars (with Ukrainian and Russian Federation licence plates) and three buses waiting to leave Ukraine.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation along the administrative boundary line between the mainland and Crimea. At the Kalanchak, Chonhar and Chaplynka crossing points (67, 72 and 167 km south-east of Kherson) the SMM observed a calm situation. Border guards at each location, and at Valok (210km south-east of Kherson), told the SMM that the situation was calm. At Kalanchak and Chaplynka crossing points the SMM observed quick processing times for cars and pedestrians. According to passengers using these crossing points to travel from Crimea to the mainland, the processing time was much longer than in the other direction. They also said that young men were singled out for questioning by guards on the Crimean side. The SMM also found the situation to be quiet in the vicinity of Preobrazhenka (formerly Chervonyi Chaban, 90km south-east of Kherson), close to the Titan plant which is located in Crimea.

  • Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions to its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction to the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

  • Armed Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel denied the SMM access to a compound near government-controlled Rivnopil (65km south-west of Donetsk). The SMM waited 30 minutes and then left. The JCCC was informed.
  • Armed “LPR” members stopped the SMM 5km from the border in the vicinity of “LPR”-controlled Leonove (formerly Chervonyi Zhovten, 82km south of Luhansk) and told the SMM that if they wanted to travel further, the “LPR” members needed to seek the permission of superiors to let the SMM pass*. The SMM left the area.
  • Armed “DPR” members at a checkpoint near Prymorske (76km south-east of Donetsk) told the SMM that they could not travel further without being escorted. The SMM declined and turned around. The JCCC was informed.

Conditional access:

  • At the “LPR”-controlled Izvaryne (52km south-east of Luhansk) border crossing point, an armed “LPR” member took the names and ID numbers of SMM monitors.

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report.

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/260486

Contacts:

Alexandra Taylor
26 Turhenievska Street
01054 Kyiv
Ukraine
mobile: +380 67 650 31 57
alexandra.taylor@osce.org

Tetiana Tesliuchenko
26 Turhenievska Street
01054 Kyiv
Ukraine
office: +380 44 382 0832
mobile: +380 67 466 2563
Tetiana.Tesliuchenko@osce.org