OSCE SMM confirms readiness to monitor disengagement on three pilot areas in Donbas

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) says it is not patrolling the action area in Donbas at nighttime due to lack of visibility and for security reasons, but is monitoring the entire territory round-the-clock using technical devices.

"The OSCE SMM is determined to patrol, monitor and verify disengagement in the areas agreed near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Bohdanivka-Petrivske," the OSCE SMM said on its official Facebook page on Monday, in response to the claims that the OSCE SMM should be present 24/7 at the observation points in disengagement areas.

"The SMM conducts 24/7 monitoring and observation throughout Donbas through the use of various technologies - mainly, static cameras, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and other means of aerial surveillance. The SMM presently does not conduct mobile ground patrols at night because of lack of visibility and for security reasons," the report said.

"The Mission can only effectively support the disengagement process through verification if there is safe, secure and unconditional access to the disengagement areas for the SMM, which has been frequently denied," the report said.

According to earlier reports, the OSCE SMM on October 8 called on the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) to promote the provision of safe and unimpeded access to monitor and coordinate mine clearance.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces responded to that saying that they have begun building an observation post and a shelter for the OSCE SMM on the section near the village of Petrivske, where symmetrical separation of forces and equipment by the parties has occurred.

On October 9, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said the Ukrainian Armed Forces had to postpone the withdrawal of forces and equipment in the Stanytsia Luhanska area due to systematic breaches by the enemy of the framework agreement on the separation of forces and equipment.