Situation in Donbas relatively calm in spite of fire attacks

The ceasefire in the special operation area in eastern Ukraine is being generally observed, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug told a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday.

The OSCE SMM monitors have received mainly positive news from Donbas, and for the first time since the beginning of May the relatively calm situation is being observed in most districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Hug said, noting that the parties to the conflict are still located closely to each other, the fire attacks take place, but the general level of violence has markedly lowered.

Besides, the situation is not ideal yet, he said.

There is still a risk of the growth of violence to resume, which had been recorded in early August, Hug said.

The most serious ceasefire breach has been recorded in the early hours of Monday near the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska, where the sides had used mortars, grenade launchers, small arms and large-caliber machineguns for almost four hours, he said. This episode only confirms that the ceasefire is unstable, Hug said.

The fire attacks are taking place, because the parties to the confrontation do not completely trust each other, Hug also said, noting that unmanned aerial vehicles are still being used in Donbas, and the freedom of movement by the OSCE SMM representatives is limited either.