OSCE SMM: The number of ceasefire violations in the east of Ukraine increased by 60 per cent last week

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Last week, the number of ceasefire violations in the conflict zone in the east of Ukraine increased by 60 per cent last week, compared to the previous week, according to observations of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. “We recorded well over 9,000 ceasefire violations last week; the highest weekly number since mid-June. Around 30 percent of those ceasefire violations were in this area – the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area,” reported Alexander Hug, Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.

Around 20 per cent of total number of ceasefire violations happened in areas east and north-east of Mariupol; 15 per cent in areas south-east, south and south-west of Svitlodarsk; 15 per cent in the Popasna-Troitske-Pervomaisk area and 10 per cent in the south-western and western outskirts of Horlivka.

Moreover, the SMM monitors recorded an increased number in the use and presence of Minsk-proscribed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. “Last week, the OSCE SMM recorded about 360 instances of the use of such weapons (130 artillery rounds, 185 mortar rounds and 45 tank rounds) compared with the previous week (67 instances). We also observed 112 weapons in violation of their respective withdrawal lines (99 in non-government-controlled- and 13 in government-controlled areas). The previous week we recorded 52 such cases,” noted Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE SMM. In addition, he added, the monitors observed 265 weapons beyond the withdrawal lines but outside designated storage areas: 251 in non-government-controlled and 14 in government-controlled areas, compared to 23 such weapons spotted the previous week.

The conflict caused six civilian casualties last week, according to the OSCE; two of them killed in mine or UXO-related incidents, reported Alexander Hug.