The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission (OSCE SMM) cannot confirm reports about the removal of heavy weaponry from the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine and does not rule out possible escalation in light of Moscow's failure to comply with agreements.
Over the past 48 hours there have been reports about removal of heavy
vehicles but this cannot be confirmed by OSCE monitors, SMM deputy chief
Alexander Hug told a press conference in Kyiv on Dec. 12.
The OSCE and drones confirm that the security zone, which was agreed upon in
Minsk, is still unsafe, he said.
The risk of escalation will remain high unless all parties stick to the
rules, Hug said.
At the same time he admitted that the shelling has abated somewhat in the
past five days.
Asked which monitoring systems are being used, Hug said that the OSCE has a
contract with a firm which has supplied four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),
one of which is flying in eastern Ukraine and supplies data for the Mission’s
daily reports.
As regards the Cougar armored vehicles provided by the Ukrainian authorities,
the SMM has received them but is not using them yet as they are undergoing
technical formalities, Hug said.
