Ukraine

Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 20 April 2018 This report is for the media and the general public.

The conflict in eastern Ukraine has cost more than 10,000 lives. Unarmed international observers monitor the ceasefire, but the parties to the conflict continue to disregard it.
In the aftermath of the Ukrainian revolution and Russia's unilateral annexation of Crimea in 2014, political protests in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions soon escalated into armed conflict. An agreement to end the fighting between the self-proclaimed republics and Ukrainian government forces was reached in September 2014, but peace remains elusive.

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(New York, 20 April) – The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Mr. Neal Walker, today briefed Member States and International Organizations on the dire humanitarian situation faced by 4.4 million conflict-affected people in eastern Ukraine. After four years of conflict, 3.4 million people in Ukraine are struggling to cope with the impact of the humanitarian crisis and urgently require humanitarian assistance and protection.

Kyiv and Washington are calling on Ukrainian separatists not to stop the pumps in a mine where a small nuclear bomb was detonated in 1979.

20 April 2018

Ukrainian Ecology Minister Ostap Semerak said the potential existed for a “radiation catastrophe” if plans to flood the Yunkom coal mine go ahead, The Irish Times reports.

In March, just over 4,400 refugees and migrants entered Europe via Italy,
Greece and Spain. Arrivals to Greece (1,250 versus 2,400) increased by almost 100% while arrivals through routes to Spain (1,500 versus 1,300) and Italy (1,050 versus 1,060) remained consistent with the previous month. In the first three months of the year some 16,640 refugees and migrants arrived to Europe by sea compared to nearly 31,000 that arrived in the same period last year, marking a 106% decrease.

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Yesterday, the Donetsk Filter Station in Ukraine stopped its operations after five of its employees were shot and injured on 17 April. The Station’s operations will likely remain suspended until guarantees for the safety of its personnel from parties to the conflict are received.

Despite the ‘Spring’ and ‘Easter’ ceasefires which began on 5 and 30 March respectively, clashes continued along both sides of the ‘contact line’ with severe impact on civilians. In March, shelling, mines and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) killed 5 civilians and injured 13. Key infrastructure, such as water and electricity facilities continued to be regularly affected by shelling and harsh weather conditions. On several occasions, over 400 000 people were left without water, electricity and heat for over 24 hours, due to the harsh weather conditions.

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MINSK, 18 April 2018 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG ‎and its Working Groups in Minsk on 18 April 2018:

Situation at check points: The Border Guard Service recorded 1,021,600 crossings of the line of contact during the month. Long queues continued to be reported by UNHCR’s partner R2P.

Winterization: Unusually cold conditions persisted throughout March; UNHCR continued with winter assistance plan distributing coal, winter-cash assistance and warm clothes.

Legal Assistance: In March, UNHCR and its partners provided primary legal assistance to more than 2,300 people.

KEY INDICATORS

Situational overview: February 2018 saw the lowest monthlyrecorded civilian casualties during the entire conflict period.

Protection concerns: Freezing temperatures winter conditions; UNHCR continued implementation of its winter assistance plan.

Assistance provided: In February, UNHCR provided winterization, non-food items (NFIs), and shelter assistance to more than 6,600 people.

1) Firstly regarding yesterday’s shooting incident at Donetsk Filter Station, I am relieved to report that it seems the most serious casualty, now in hospital in Donetsk city is now stabilised according to Voda Donbasa. Of the other four casualties, two left hospital yesterday, one left today after surgery and the last is still in hospital in Yasynuvata following surgery. For the moment it seems there is no longer risk to life.

Protection Concerns
- Security situation: In March 2018, OHCHR recorded 18 conflict-related civilian casualties: 5 people killed and 13 injured; 15 of the civilian casualties are caused by ERW and mine-related incidents.
- Freedom of movement: On March 23, one civilian reportedly died due to a heart attack while crossing the contact line on the NGCA side of Hnutove checkpoint. On March 27, a 60 year old man suffered a heart attack while crossing the checkpoint in Marinka.

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

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This report is for the media and the general public.

SUMMARY

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs.

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international staff members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a Vienna-based staff member.

Location: Yasynuvata rajon (Donetsk NGCA),
Prepared by: Stas Dymkovskyy, WASH Cluster IMO

BUS FOR DONETSK FILTER STATION FIRED UPON: FIVE INJURED

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