Heavy fighting at the Stanystia Luhanska Bridge 

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The OSCE reported infractions by both Ukrainian and self-proclaimed “DPR” forces in regards to heavy weaponry beyond the agreed withdrawal line.

Kyiv, July 15, 2016. “In the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Dontesk airport triangle, the number of ceasefire violations actually doubled in number, representing more than 70 per cent of all ceasefire violations recorded in the region,” according to Alexander Hug, Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Horlivka saw increased levels of violence by 10 per cent, accounting for 10 per cent of total ceasefire violations recorded for the week. Notably, the Shyrokyne and Kominternove areas saw a 50 per cent decrease in ceasefire violations.

In Luhansk region, especially Stanytsia Luhanska, there was heavy fighting. Almost all violence was recorded within a 90-minute period, when monitors recorded 400 explosions and more than 2,000 shots of small-arms fire on Saturday night near the bridge.

The OSCE SMM reported that in both Ukrainian and self-proclaimed “DPR” territory, there were multiple launch rocket systems in violations of the agreed withdrawal line. The OSCE SMM also reported that in Mykytivskiy, while monitors were speaking with residents who had damaged property by shelling, “DPR” members began filming monitors and preventing them from carrying out their jobs. “Last week our patrols were denied access fourteen times, thirteen in areas not controlled by the Government,” according to Hug.

Lastly, Hug reported that Ukrainian Armed Forces “have continued to place and fire weapons from positions extremely close” to the OSCE SMM forward patrol base in Svitlodarsk. On July 8 and July 11, mortar rounds were landing between 800 and 400 meters from the base.