The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) observed an increased number of ceasefire violations in areas around Donetsk airport during the past 24 hours, on May 28, as compared to previous days.
Over a nine-hour period during the day, the SMM heard 150 explosions from west and north-west, mostly consistent with mortar (82mm and 120mm) and tank fire, the SMM reported.
In Luhansk region the SMM heard explosions in the area of government-controlled Triokhizbenka in Novoaidarsk district and small town Frunze in Slovyanoserbsk district. From their position in Mariupol of Donetsk region, the SMM heard several explosions emanating from an easterly direction, where Shyrokyne village is.
In Petrivske in Starobeshivsky district of Donetsk region, controlled by Donetsk People’s Republic, the presence of an unknown armed group that occupied former local holiday camp, was registered; inside the holiday camp the SMM observed one infantry fighting vehicle.
“In the village the SMM spoke to two women, both wearing military uniforms, with caps with Russian Federation Armed Forces insignia. They said that they were from Kramatorsk. During the conversation with the two women a vehicle with Russian Federation number plates stopped next to the OSCE vehicles and two armed men, similarly dressed, exited the car and ordered the women to stop the conversation with the SMM”, the report said.
The SMM also observed a child, approximately 12-14 years old, wearing a camouflage uniform and holding an AK-47 rifle at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Makiyivka that is controlled by militants.
Despite claims that withdrawal of heavy weapons was complete, the SMM observed 17 tanks in two concentrations in areas north and north-west of Luhansk, which are controlled by illegal armed groups.
There were three restrictions on the SMM access and freedom of movement. All three restrictions were imposed by Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel for identity checks and interrogation. In all three cases the SMM were stopped for 15-20 minutes.
