OSCE SMM: it's responsibility of those in control of Donetsk to provide SMM protection

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine believes there are forces in Donetsk that would like the OSCE to stop reporting on what is going on in the city.

"At 02:25, the SMM observed several OSCE vehicles on fire in the parking lot in front of its residence in Donetsk city. Fire-fighters responded quickly and tried to extinguish the fire. As a result, four vehicles of the SMM were destroyed by the fire. Investigations are ongoing," a SMM states on its "Facebook" page.

"The OSCE is reporting this violent attack on its civilian monitors in Donetsk just as it reports violent attacks affecting Ukrainian civilians in and around Donetsk, elsewhere in Donetsk oblast and in Eastern Ukraine: objectively, impartially and promptly," the report says.

"There are, it seems, some who would like the OSCE to stop reporting on what is going on in Donetsk. There are some who believe that a violent attack on civilians and their property is a justifiable means to this end," the report says.

"It is the responsibility of those in effective control in Donetsk city to provide the SMM protection for its staff and property," the statement says.

"The Mission has no plans to withdraw at this stage," it says.