The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) notes the regress in the process of disengagement of forces and means in the conflict zone in Donbas, which was not fully implemented even on the three pilot sections of the disengagement line.
“In fact there has been regression. Last we the OSCE SMM recorded 10 ceasefire violations in site of the Zolote disengagement area one in site of the Petrivske disengagement area. In site of the Zolote disengagement area we also observed new positions as said belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In site of the Petrivske disengagement area we observed Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers and members of the armed formations and armed combat vehicles,” OSCE SMM Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said via Skype in the OSCE SMM office in Dnipro on Sept. 21.
According to him, 44 units of weapons were recorded by observers, which were placed with violation of the disengagement lines: 31 – in areas beyond the control of the Ukrainian government and 13 – in controlled areas.
At the same time, Hug pointed out that this week marked the long-awaited progress in the reconstruction of civil infrastructure facilities, which was due to the establishment of a certain dialogue on the ground.
“On Tuesday [Sept. 18] we finally saw the first major step forward. Repair works completed on the South-Donbas main water pipeline. This work involved in dialogue and cooperation proves that locally based arrangements can work. However, the only sure way of ensuring the long-term sustainability of critical infrastructure lies in a sustainable ceasefire,” he said.
