OSCE

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 61 ceasefire violations, including 16 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 112 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 20 ceasefire violations, including two explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on damage to an apartment in non-government-controlled Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM monitored gatherings in Kyiv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

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 compared to the previous week. 

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

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

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities. The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and the Chairpersonship. Following the host country’s recommendations, the observers are adhering to social distancing. Due to the preventive measures taken by the central and regional authorities, the OM is faced with certain difficulties, but is still able to continue to fulfil its mandate without any limitations in its observation and reporting activities. The vaccination process provided by the host country medical system continues on a voluntary basis. To date, 80 per cent of OM staff have now been vaccinated. The OM is fully staffed and operational.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border                                                                                                                                       

The profile of persons crossing the border can be categorized as follows:

1. Adults travelling on foot or by car with little or no luggage.
2. Persons in military-style outfits.
3. Families (often including elderly persons and/or children) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.

The average number of entries/exits increased from 10,832 to 11,594 per day at both BCPs compared to last week. During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 184 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, the host country closed its borders for the majority of foreigners starting from 18 March 2020. Among the exceptions of persons allowed to cross the border (which entered into force on 19 March) are Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons holding passports or identification documents proving permanent residence in certain areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine. In addition, reportedly, due to the threat of the spread of COVID-19, starting from 10 April 2020, the organized passenger transport commuting between the non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region of Ukraine and the Russian Federation was temporarily suspended and restored from 25 June 2020. Currently, the crossing of people is going on at a quasi-normal level.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was five, compared to seven last week; one person crossed into the Russian Federation while four persons crossed into Ukraine. These individuals crossed the border on foot. All five military-style persons crossed at the Donetsk BCP.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, two families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while one family was observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when three families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and another three into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                         

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (445 compared to 411 observed during the previous week). There were 222 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 223 bound for Ukraine.

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses did not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region. Among the bus connections observed by the OT, the following irregular route or destination was noted: Luhansk – Sevastopol.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (803 compared to 655 during the previous reporting week); 428 at the Gukovo BCP and 375 at the Donetsk BCP, 393 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 410 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus, Lithuania, the Russian Federation, and trucks with “LPR” and “DPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting period, the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs slightly decreased (41 compared to 42 during the previous week). These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane. All trucks underwent systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.

Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP increased from 160 to 183. Of the total number of trucks scanned 182 trucks (99 per cent) were bound for Ukraine and one (one per cent) was bound for the Russian Federation.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[1] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (181 compared to 137 observed during the previous week); 99 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 82 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 35 occasions; the OTs assessed that 20 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 15 trains were travelling to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis. The OTs also observed vehicles with Georgian, Polish, Lithuanian licence plates and “DPR” plates too.

On 17 August at 22:32, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two trucks with “LPR” plates and an inscription ‘’LPR Post’’ (in Russian) on the side, arriving from the Russian Federation. After undergoing border and customs control procedures, the vehicles left the BCP for Ukraine at 22:42.

On 21 August at 10:00, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a police vehicle, model UAZ-469 with an inscription “POLICE” (in Russian), entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking behind the main building. At 10:10, the police vehicle drove back towards the Russian Federation. The OT was unable to notice any other details from its position.

On 23 August at 09:35, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a helicopter type Mi-8/Mi-17 flying from the north in a southerly direction at an altitude of approximately 500m. The helicopter remained inside the airspace of the Russian Federation the entire time it was visible to the OT.

On 24 August at 03:20, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two white minivans with "LPR" plates arriving at the BCP from Ukraine. The minivans had the sign “LPR Post” displayed on the sides (in Russian). After undergoing border control procedures, the vehicles left the BCP for the Russian Federation at 03:40.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 20 July 2021 to 24 August 2021, please see the attachment here.

[1]Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles that correspond to driving licence C1).

VIENNA, 24 August 2021 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro today expressed her grave concern regarding the expanding practice by Russian authorities to designate media outlets and journalists as ‘foreign agents’.

Ribeiro’s comments follow the Ministry of Justice’s decision of 20 August to add the Moscow-based independent television channel Dozhd (TV Rain) and the Latvia-registered investigative media portal Vazhniye Istorii (iStories) to its list of ‘foreign agents’. On the same day, the Ministry also registered six journalists from iStories as ‘foreign agents’. 

“The status of ‘foreign agent’ imposes excessive burdens upon media organizations and individuals, and, by stigmatizing them, exerts a dangerous chilling effect on their work,” Ribeiro said. “The practice of labelling the media is aggravated by a lack of legal certainty and proportionality on the matter. I share the Venice Commission’s recent recommendation to the Russian authorities to abandon the special regime associated with ‘foreign agent’ status, including the related administrative and criminal sanctions.”

In April and May 2021, the Ministry of Justice declared independent news websites Meduza and VTimes as ‘foreign agents’ and in July, the authorities declared Proekt investigative media portal as ‘undesirable’, effectively banning its activities. In addition, five staff members of Proekt, and three other journalists from Open Media and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, were registered as ‘foreign agents’.  On a number of occasions, the Representative raised these and other similar cases with the authorities.

Ribeiro also pointed the authorities to her Communiqué “On the right of the media to freely collect, report and disseminate information, news and opinions, regardless of frontiers,” published in May 2021, in which she recommended the concerned participating States to “refrain from stigmatising, or labelling as ‘foreign agent’, media workers and media outlets coming from, or having (financial) ties to parties in, another participating State”.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 20 and 22 August, the SMM recorded 220 ceasefire violations, including 23 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 55 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 20 and 22 August, the Mission recorded one explosion. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 92 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at two SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) near government-controlled Novohryhorivka and near non-government-controlled Nova Marivka, Donetsk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations close to the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM observed no change in the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The Mission monitored a gathering and a religious service in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at three checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

WARSAW, 23 August 2021 – Despite a number of positive legal changes to the nomination process for the judges of Georgia’s Supreme Court, today’s final monitoring report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) shows that the stage of the appointment procedure carried out by parliament still lacks adequate safeguards, negatively affecting the integrity of the overall process.

“The decision to go ahead with an appointment process lacking in inclusivity and going against an earlier agreement to put it on hold risked its credibility at a time when public trust in the judiciary is already low,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “I call on the Georgian authorities to work on further improving the independence, accountability, and quality of the judicial system through a  broad reform process.”

The appointment process monitored by ODIHR last month took place in a challenging political environment and amidst public criticism of the High Council of Justice’s (HCJ) selection of nominees. The final stage of the procedure, which resulted in the appointment of six new judges, went ahead despite a political agreement in April to halt the nomination and appointment process, and in the absence of most of the opposition parties, the Georgian ombudsperson and several NGOs.

At the same time, the hearings of the candidates in parliament were generally well conducted, with challenging questions on a range of relevant topics. The hearings were also orderly and peaceful, and allowed public scrutiny of the process and the nominees. However, final voting took place without a plenary debate on the merits of the candidates, against the parliament’s own rules. In addition, the legislation still gives parliament full discretion to appoint or reject any nominee without any justification, contrary to international standards and good practices as well as previous recommendations made by ODIHR.

It should also be noted that all six appointed judges are men, even though 38 per cent of the candidate pool and two out of the nine nominees were women. This highlights the need for Georgia to take greater efforts to achieve gender balance and ensure that its justice system is inclusive.

ODIHR’s monitoring was carried out following an invitation from the Georgian ombudsperson. As well as monitoring all candidate interviews before the HCJ, the team monitored the hearings of the nominees by the parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, and the final vote on the nominees in parliament.  The monitors followed ODIHR’s well-established principles of impartiality and objectivity, ensuring at the same time that they in no way interfered in the process itself.

Today’s report follows assessments of the appointments process to the Supreme Court published in September 2019, January 2020, and July 2021.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 55 ceasefire violations, including six explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 117 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 92 ceasefire violations, including 60 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 12 ceasefire violations.
• Man killed due to the detonation of an explosive object in non-government-controlled Luhansk city and woman injured due to shelling in government-controlled Zolote-4/Rodina, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations close to the disengagement area near Zolote and inside and close to the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• SMM monitored a gathering in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 117 ceasefire violations, including 62 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 160 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 12 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 475 ceasefire violations.
• Woman injured due to small-arms fire in government-controlled Chermalyk, Donetsk region.
• The Mission followed up on damage to two residential buildings in non-government-controlled Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, Luhansk region.
• Explosions assessed as outgoing tank rounds close to an SMM patrol in government-controlled Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations close to the disengagement area near Zolote and inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• SMM monitored gatherings in Kyiv demanding the release of people allegedly held in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

VIENNA, 20 August 2021 - Throughout this past year we have witnessed acts of violence and hate-motivated attacks based on religion or belief across the OSCE region. Jews, Muslims, minority Christian communities, and others were targeted and endured physical and verbal abuse and even murder, solely because of their religious identification. Despite the strength and resilience many participating States have demonstrated in managing the COVID-19 crisis, the pandemic and its physical distancing restrictions have led to the proliferation of online intolerance. This includes racist discourse and incitement against members of religious and belief communities, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, and hate speech against Muslims. These developments should alarm us all.

OSCE participating States are obliged to respect the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief, for all without distinction to ethnicity, sex, gender, language, or religion, as part of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of protecting and promoting peace and security. In 1990 in Copenhagen, participating States reaffirmed their commitment to this right, which includes freedom to change one´s religion or belief and freedom to manifest one´s religion or belief, either alone or in a community with others, in public or in private, through worship, teaching, practice and observance. The participating States also stated that the exercise of these rights may be subject only to such restrictions as are prescribed by law and are consistent with international standards. In Budapest in 1994, they also expressed their will to foster a climate of mutual tolerance and respect between believers of different communities as well as between believers and non-believers.

On this day of commemoration, we strongly encourage all participating States to protect the right to religion or belief of all their citizens. Acts of violence, in particular hate speech and hate crimes on grounds of religion or belief, must be swiftly and loudly condemned. Victims must be supported. Perpetrators must be held accountable and punished. States must also promote a societal climate of tolerance and strengthen inclusion and respect for diversity.

We further encourage participating States to avail themselves of all resources available to meet these commitments, including the expert advice and capacity building offered by ODIHR. As the Personal Representatives of the Chairperson-in-Office for tolerance issues, we are also ready to assist.

Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative on Combating Anti-Semitism

Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci, Personal Representative on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims

Professor Regina Polak, Personal Representative on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, also focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and Members of Other Religions

OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek Kunduz Rysbek

The Eighth Annual Anti-Terrorism Experts Meeting, organized by the Anti-Terrorist Center under the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, and the OSCE’s Action against Terrorism Unit/Transnational Threats Department, was held from 18 to 21 August 2021 in Issyk-Kul.

The meeting brought together 48 national and international experts, including representatives of relevant ministries, law enforcement agencies, the prosecutor’s office, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The meeting was held in a hybrid format.

The meeting facilitated an open discussion on various aspects related to preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/C VERLT), following a multi-dimensional approach in which respect for human rights and the rule of law is an integral part of security.

Experts shared key aspects, challenges and measures taken by state agencies working in the counter-terrorism field in line with the international legal and policy framework. The meeting aimed at exchanging good practices on the necessary conditions for effective international co-operation and on how Kyrgyzstan can best involve all national stakeholders to prevent and respond to terrorism and violent extremism.

The Annual Anti-Terrorism Experts Meeting is a platform, which provides regular opportunities to share experiences and discussions on all aspects of preventing and countering terrorism among all national partners involved. The Meeting is the result of ongoing contact between the Anti-Terrorist Centre under the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, with the OSCE Transnational Threats Department contributing to this setting for the second time since 2018.

WARSAW, 20 August 2021 – Governments need to work harder to protect victims of religious hate crimes, and consistently condemn and prosecute all bias-motivated crimes, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said ahead of the third anniversary of the United Nations International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion.

“Covid-19 has caused untold suffering throughout our societies, but we have been seeing intolerance and hatred increasing specifically against people belonging to religious or belief groups since the outbreak of the pandemic,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “Not only does this have a hugely negative impact on individuals and communities, but it also erodes democracy, respect for human rights, and security more broadly. More education and awareness-raising are needed to increase understanding of the right to religious freedom and to counter discrimination and hatred.”

The level of government restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic has varied across the OSCE region, with some communities able to take part in more of their regular activities and others facing direct or indirect discrimination as a result of the measures. Beyond access to places of worship or home gatherings, restrictions to counter the spread of the pandemic have made it more difficult for many communities to mark important stages of life, religious holidays, and in this difficult time, also death.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, many religious communities have found themselves scapegoated and blamed for spreading the virus. These accusations are the new faces of old narratives, compounding long-standing biases that have given rise to increasing levels of online hate speech as well as physical hate crimes. The targeting of individuals based on clothing associated with a specific religion or belief or attendance of religious community meetings has left many wary of displaying their religious or belief identity for fear of attack.

Throughout the pandemic, ODIHR has continued to support countries across the OSCE in their efforts to counter hate crimes that target specific religious or belief communities, examining some of the greatest challenges in its publication OSCE Human Dimension Commitments and State Responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic. As a fundamental human right, freedom of religion or belief encompasses the right of each individual to have, adopt, change or leave a religion or belief. At its core is the understanding that diversity of opinion exists in every society, and that respecting our differences is the only way for us to live together peacefully.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 160 ceasefire violations, including 24 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 165 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 475 ceasefire violations, including 149 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded five ceasefire violations.
• Man killed due to shelling in government-controlled Novoselivka Druha, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded multiple ceasefire violations close to the disengagement area near Zolote and inside and in the vicinity of the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission monitored a gathering in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

495817

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine handed over specialized equipment to support the canine units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) at an official ceremony held in Kyiv on 19 August 2021.

The package of donated equipment included canine trailers with field kennels and harnesses with leashes. The equipment will help the SBGS use dogs to counter illicit trafficking in weapons, ammunition and explosives (WAE) at border crossing points and certain segments of the state’s border.

“The crucial role of the canine service in combating transnational organized crime, be it to combat drug trafficking or illicit trafficking of WAE, goes without saying. We hope that the equipment we handed over to SBGS today will increase efficiency of its canine units and their operations,” said Henrik Villadsen, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

SBGS carries out a wide range of activities and deals with a wide range of national and international threats, said Serhii Serdiuk, Deputy Head of SBGS. “We are sincerely grateful to our international partners for their continuous support of the SBGS. The OSCE Project is an example of a large-scale, joint approach to tackling illicit trafficking in prohibited items. It focuses not only on providing border guards with equipment, but also on the training programme and international cooperation.”

Procurement and donation of the equipment was carried out within the OSCE project, Supporting the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives.

In addition to equipment donations, this project also assists the Ukrainian border agency in exploring best international practices, as well as in developing and improving training programmes for SBGS staff, including the canine service, for combating illicit trafficking in WAE.

The project is part of the OSCE’s Comprehensive Programme aimed at strengthening the capacities of Ukrainian authorities in preventing and combating all aspects of illicit trafficking in WAE. The programme is financed and supported by in-kind contributions by the European Union, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, and the United States of America.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 165 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 139 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded five ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 445 ceasefire violations.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations close to the disengagement area near Zolote and inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM monitored a gathering in Kyiv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 139 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 119 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 445 ceasefire violations, including 77 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 114 ceasefire violations.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations close to the disengagement area near Zolote and inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

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 compared to the previous week. 

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international Mission members, including the Chief Observer (CO) and a First Responder.[1] The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna.

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities. The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and the Chairpersonship. Following the host country’s recommendations, the observers are adhering to social distancing. Due to the preventive measures taken by the central and regional authorities, the OM is faced with certain difficulties, but is still able to continue to fulfil its mandate without any limitations in its observation and reporting activities. The vaccination process provided by the host country medical system continues on a voluntary basis. To date, 80 per cent of OM staff have now been vaccinated. The OM is fully staffed and operational.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border                                                                                                                      

The profile of persons crossing the border can be categorized as follows:

1. Adults travelling on foot or by car with little or no luggage.
2. Persons in military-style outfits.
3. Families (often including elderly persons and/or children) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.

The average number of entries/exits increased from 10,112 to 10,832 per day at both BCPs compared to last week. During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 87 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, the host country closed its borders for the majority of foreigners starting from 18 March 2020. Among the exceptions of persons allowed to cross the border (which entered into force on 19 March) are Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons holding passports or identification documents proving permanent residence in certain areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine. In addition, reportedly, due to the threat of the spread of COVID-19, starting from 10 April 2020, the organized passenger transport commuting between the non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region of Ukraine and the Russian Federation was temporarily suspended and restored from 25 June 2020. Currently, the crossing of people is going on at a quasi-normal level.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was seven, compared to five last week; three persons crossed into the Russian Federation while four persons crossed into Ukraine. These individuals crossed the border on foot.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, three families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while another three families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when no families were observed neither crossing into the Russian Federation nor into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                         

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (411 compared to 415 observed during the previous week). There were 201 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 210 bound for Ukraine.

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses did not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (655 compared to 709 during the previous reporting week); 393 at the Gukovo BCP and 262 at the Donetsk BCP, 373 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 282 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus, Lithuania, the Russian Federation, and trucks with “LPR” and “DPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting period, the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs slightly increased (42 compared to 39 during the previous week). These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane. All trucks underwent systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.

Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP slightly increased from 153 to 160. Of the total number of trucks scanned all 160 trucks (100 per cent) were bound for Ukraine.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[2] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight increase in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (137 compared to 130 observed during the previous week); 67 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 70 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 25 occasions; the OTs assessed that 14 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 11 trains were travelling to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis. The OTs also observed vehicles with Georgian licence plates and “DPR” plates too.

On 12 August at 06:23 (Moscow time), the hundredth[3] Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of four vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine. All four vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 12:35 on 12 August.  (See OM Spot Report of 12 August 2021: https://www.osce.org/observer-mission-at-russian-checkpoints-gukovo-and-donetsk/495094 ).

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 13 July 2021 to 17 August 2021, please see the attachment here.

[1] First responders are OSCE staff or Mission members deployed for a short period of time.

[2]Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles that correspond to driving licence C1).     

[3]Based on the Observer Mission’s counting, this convoy is considered the hundredth convoy that has crossed into Ukraine through the “Donetsk” or “Gukovo” BCPs. However, so far all these convoys crossed through the “Donetsk” BCP.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 13 and 15 August, the SMM recorded 225 ceasefire violations, including 53 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 13 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 13 and 15 August, the Mission recorded 287 ceasefire violations, including 18 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 17 ceasefire violations.
• The SMM followed up on reports of a woman injured due to gunfire in non-government-controlled Holubivske, Luhansk region.
• The SMM followed up on damage due to shelling to and near an inhabited house in government-controlled Novoselivka Druha, Donetsk region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at two SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in non-government-controlled Manuilivka, Donetsk region, and near Smile, Luhansk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside and close to the disengagement areas near Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission observed no change in the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM monitored a gathering in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 13 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 155 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 17 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 17 ceasefire violations.
• The SMM followed up on damage due to small-arms fire at an inhabited apartment in non-government-controlled Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to enable repairs, maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations in Donetsk region.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 155 ceasefire violations, including 64 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 33 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 17 ceasefire violations, including one explosion. In the previous reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to enable repairs and operation of critical civilian infrastructure. It recorded ten ceasefire violations near the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS).
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission visited four border crossing points outside government control in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and monitored border areas outside government control in Donetsk region.
• The Mission observed a convoy of trucks with Russian Federation licence plates in a non-government-controlled area in Luhansk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region as well as at a border crossing point near non-government-controlled Izvaryne, Luhansk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference *

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 33 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 174 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 99 ceasefire violations.
• The SMM followed up on damage due to shelling to an inhabited apartment in government-controlled Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near non-government-controlled Nova Marivka, Donetsk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to enable repairs and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region.*

SUMMARY

On 12 August at 06:23 (Moscow time), the hundredth[1] Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of four vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine. All four vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 12:35 on 12 August.

DETAIL

Leaving the Russian Federation

On 12 of August at 06:23, the Observer Mission observed the arrival of the Russian convoy at the gate of the Donetsk BCP. The convoy consisted of four vehicles: one escort car and three civilian cargo trucks. All the cargo trucks bore the inscription “Humanitarian aid from the Russian Federation” (in Russian). At 06:28, the vehicles entered the customs control area. Once the convoy arrived, the vehicles were visually checked from the outside by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers. The truck drivers rolled up/opened the tarpaulins of the trucks and the border guards and customs officials performed a visual observation from the outside. Three dogs were present and used by Russian Federation border guards to check the vehicles from the outside. One Russian Federation border guard took photos and videoed the convoy crossing.

Three Ukrainian border guards and two customs officers were observed accompanying their Russian counterparts. They also performed a visual observation of the vehicles from the outside (without entering the trucks’ cargo space). By 06:47, the vehicles left for Ukraine.

Returning to the Russian Federation

12:25, the convoy returned and queued in the customs area. The Russian Federation border guards and customs officers visually checked the returning convoy from the outside. Ukrainian representatives – three border guards and two customs officers – were present during this check. The Ukrainian officials also performed visual checks of the trucks from the outside. One dog was present and used by Russian Federation border guards to check the vehicles from the outside. By 12:35, all four vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation.

[1]Based on the Observer Mission’s counting, this convoy is considered the hundredth convoy that has crossed into Ukraine through the “Donetsk” or “Gukovo” BCPs. However, so far all these convoys crossed through the “Donetsk” BCP.