You're reading: OSCE SMM cannot monitor Schastia due to mines

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) has said that Ukrainian Armed Forces stopped the mission observers to cross the bridge in Schastia (Luhansk region) due to mines.

“OSCE SMM stopped by Ukr [Ukrainian] armed forces from crossing Schastia bridge due to mines. Minsk violation. SMM ready/able to monitor but prevented,” OSCE SMM said on Twitter on Saturday.

Later SMM said that their monitoring operations are also prevented by mines on the territory of self-proclaimed LPR near Schastia.

“Mines at “LPR” ctrl (controlled) area of Schastia – Minsk/SMM mandate violation. OSCE SMM ready/able to monitor but prevented,” they said on Twitter.

Earlier SMM said that it is impossible to monitor in Pervomaisk-Zolote district and at the Schastia checkpoint due to mines.