Situation in Donbas remains unstable, despite decrease in shelling

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine has noted a decrease in violence in Donbas during the last week and the week before last, but pointed out that the situation remains difficult and unpredictable.

The OSCE SMM recorded 40% less violations in the past week compared to the week before, the OSCE SMM's First Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said at a briefing on Friday.

A decrease in the number of explosions and instances of the use of weapons prohibited by the Minsk Agreements became even more tangible in the past week, Hug said.

The OSCE SMM recorded about 110 such explosions last week, while there had been over 600 of them the week before, he said.

Such a decrease in violence occurred after the parties resumed their obligations to observe the ceasefire as part of the so-called 'bread truce' (in place since midnight on June 24), he said.

The situation remains unstable and unpredictable, Hug said.

Any decrease in violence, even for a short period of time, is welcome, he said. But it's not a panacea, it will not resolve the conflict, he said.

Hug once again reminded the parties about the need to honor the agreements to the fullest extent and withdraw weapons.