The number of SMM-recorded ceasefire violations decreased by 17 percent compared to the previous week. “In areas east and north-east of Mariupol, for instance, the OSCE SMM recorded a 40 percent decrease in the number of ceasefire violations. Significantly, we recorded no explosions caused by Minsk-proscribed weapons in that area. In areas south-east and east of Svitlodarsk, a 20 percent decrease in SMM-recorded ceasefire violations. In areas west and north of Horlivka, a 60 percent decrease. And in areas between Popasna, Pervomaisk and Troitske, a 40 percent decrease,” reported Alexander Hug, Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, during a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
The only area where the number of ceasefire violations increased is Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport triangle. “This is the area where almost half of all ceasefire violations were recorded last week. And it is also the area where we recorded a 50 percent increase in the number of ceasefire violations”, Mr. Hug noted. In this area, the recorded number of explosions attributable to fire from proscribed weapons went up from four the previous week to 97 last week.
The number of explosions caused by Minsk-proscribed weapons increased by 25 percent last week, and the number of explosions caused by mortars has doubled, said Alexander Hug. Two thirds of all artillery explosions and over 40% of all mortar explosions were recorded in the Pervomaisk-Popasna area. However, 38% of all ceasefire violations attributed to proscribed weapons were identified as related to live fire exercises conducted by the so-called “LPR”.
Last week the monitors noticed 320 of Minsk-proscribed weapons in violation of agreed withdrawal lines, compared to fewer than 200 the previous week. 180 of these were noticed in the areas temporarily non-controlled by Ukrainian Government.
According to the OSCE monitors, there was one civilian fatality last week. In addition, a kindergarten in Dokuchaievsk and a school in Maryinka came under fire, Alexander Hug added.
