OSCE SMM: Level of violence in ATO zone significantly decreases throughout the week, but serious escalation happens yesterday

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Last week OSCE Special Monitoring Mission observed the reduction in the level of violence in the ATO zone. The number of ceasefire violations recorded by SMM decreased by 20 % compared to the previous week. Nevertheless, preliminary data indicate serious breaches of the ceasefire. SMM monitors recorded over 800 explosions in the last 24 hours, at least 71 of them caused by mortars, reported Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Alexander Hug at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. “Most of ceasefire violations recorded last week occurred in four hotspots, 40 % in the Avdiivka – Yasynuvata – Donetsk airport triangle, 30 % in areas east and north east of Mariupol, 15 % in Popasna – Troitske – Pervomaisk area and 10 % on the outskirts of Svitlodarsk,” elaborated Hug.

The reduction was even more noticeable in terms of Minsk proscribed weapons. These include tanks, mortars, artillery and multiple launch rocket systems. “Last week we recorded about two hundred explosions attributable to these proscribed weapons. The previous week we recorded more than 600,” said Principal Deputy Chief Monitor. According to him, half of the recorded explosions were part of training exercises.

This decrease in the level of violence reflected in number of civilian casualties and houses destruction. “Last week we recorded two civilian injuries compared to the six the previous week. We also noted far fewer instances of damaged houses and other civilian infrastructure,” added Hug.