Despite claims that the withdrawal of heavy weapons was complete, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) on June 10 observed such weapons in areas that are in violation of Minsk withdrawal lines.
“In government-controlled Maryinka, the SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) observed mortar firing positions located in a residential area. In DPR-controlled Rozdolne an SMM UAV spotted a concentration of nine main battle tanks (MBTs) in a residential area, one self-propelled howitzer (2S1) and 16 armored personnel carriers (APCs). Eight towed artillery guns were seen by an SMM UAV in government-controlled Paraskoviivka. In DPR-controlled Yakovlivka the SMM UAV saw three artillery pieces set up under camouflaged nets. In other DPR-controlled areas the SMM UAV saw five MBTs. At another location in a government-controlled area, the SMM observed a 120mm heavy mortar,” the OSCE SMM report posted on June 9 says.
“At the JCCC headquarters in government-controlled Soledar the SMM were presented with separate ceasefire log files by representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and representatives of the Russian Federation Armed Forces. The Ukrainian Armed Forces logged 76 violations, including 22 in the Luhansk Oblast. The Russian Federation Armed Forces logged 57 violations,” the report says.
The SMM heard and saw continued heavy weapons use from the JCCC observation post at the Donetsk Central Railway Station. In Luhansk Oblast, the SMM did not observe any heavy weapons use. In line with security considerations, the SMM did not conduct monitoring activities in the area of Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol, though an SMM UAV saw three houses burning in the village.
The Minsk agreements stipulated for the withdrawal of heavy armaments to a distance of no less than 15 kilometers on each side for the formation of a security zone of no less than 30 kilometers.
